John R. Crawford, Ed.D., Kent State University’s dean of the College of the Arts, was recently inducted as the 19th president of the International Council of Fine Arts Deans (ICFAD) during the organization’s annual conference in Kansas City, Missouri. Crawford will serve a two-year term as its president.
Crawford has served as the chair of the nominating committee and the co-chair of the annual conference team. He also has served as president-elect for one year prior to taking office.
Crawford is dean and professor of dance in the College of the Arts at Kent State. He has served as dean since 2009 and has been with the university since 1988. Previously, he served as interim dean and associate dean for graduate affairs in the college from 2006 to 2009. From 1996-2006, he served as director of Kent State’s School of Theatre and Dance and producing director of Porthouse Theatre, the university’s professional, summer stock theatre located in Northeast Ohio at Blossom Music Center.
Crawford performed professionally as a dancer and actor with the Richmond Ballet, VCU Dance Company, Kings Productions, Busch Entertainment Corporation, Ann Vachon/Dance Conduit, Porthouse Theatre and the Leaven Dance Company. He has choreographed professionally for Porthouse Theatre, the Northeast Ohio Dance Ensemble and Dance & Company in Virginia.
He holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Theatre from Virginia Commonwealth University, a master’s in dance from James Madison University and a doctorate in dance and dance education from Temple University.
ICFAD is a vehicle through which members share information and ideas that enhance the leadership of deans, provosts, university presidents and other arts executives in higher education throughout North America and around the world. The organization offers a forum for the exchange of ideas and information and addresses issues of common concern in the areas of fine and performing arts, arts education, art history, architecture and communication. ICFAD is committed to fostering the highest standards in the profession, encouraging global understanding and cooperation, providing service to its members and offering leadership for the arts in society.
ICFAD’s international efforts are expanding, and its upcoming events will focus increasingly on innovative international programs and exchanges. In addition, a summer international symposium, which focuses on specific international arts issues, is held every three years.
For more information about ICFAD, visit www.icfad.org.
For more information about Kent State’s College of the Arts, visit www.kent.edu/artscollege.
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Media Contacts:
Effie Tsengas, etsengas@kent.edu, 330-672-8398
Emily Vincent, evincen2@kent.edu, 330-672-8595