The College of Fine Arts founding dean, J. Robert (Bob) Wills (1940-2012), had extensive experience in both theatre and administration. Alongside degrees from the College of Wooster (BA in Theatre and Speech), the University of Illinois (MA in Theatre), and Case Western Reserve University (PhD in Philosophy), Wills also received a commendation for excellence in Arts Administration from Harvard University. Wills was provost of Pacific Lutheran University, Dean of the University of Texas-Austin’s College of Fine Arts, and, after leaving UK, Dean Emeritus at Arizona State University’s Herberger College of Fine Arts. Wills also directed and/or produced more than 400 plays throughout his career.

Succeeding Bob Wills, Richard Domek remains the College of Fine Arts’ only dean with a background in music. He earned his BA, MA, and PhD in Music Theory from Indiana University and joined the University of Kentucky faculty in 1974 as an instructor in the School of Music following service in the U.S. Army and completion of his doctoral studies.

Before becoming dean in 1982, Domek had already played an active role in college governance through service on the Academic Council, helping develop many of the courses needed during the college’s early years. His tenure as dean lasted until 1992.

Domek considers his position as dean to be “the most interesting job I’ve ever had.” Domek prioritized raising the visibility of the college both on campus and throughout the community. 

Domek considers the Singletary Center for the Arts to have been a key component in that effort. One notable initiative was a series of benefit events featuring acclaimed artists including Helen Hayes, Roberta Peters, and Henry Mancini. These programs also showcased student performances and artwork, expanding awareness of the college among campus and public audiences.

Rhoda-Gale Pollack, the college's only female dean, held the position from 1992 to 1998. A graduate of Carnegie Mellon (BFA in Theatre), San Francisco State (MA in Theatre), and Stanford (PhD in Theatre), Pollack represents the perseverance of women in academia that was necessary not all that long ago. Pollack supervised the Costume Shop at UC Berkeley for one year before being hired by Mills College in the Theatre Department as the costume designer and supervisor/teacher in the Costume Shop. During the following 10 years that she worked at Mills, she also designed costumes for professional theatres throughout the San Francisco Bay area. In 1976, Pollack was hired by the University of Wisconsin Parkside to develop and head an undergraduate degree program in Theatre as well as teach and direct productions in the new Theatre Department. Immediately before working at UK, Pollack was the Dean of Fine Arts at Wichita State University, at a time when women were still underrepresented in senior administrative positions at many universities. When reminiscing on her time at UK, Pollack notes the quality of both the institution and students, as well as the ability of faculty to be inventive and create a curriculum that is tailored toward student interests. 

While dean, Pollack worked largely on the organization of the college, through the creation of a faculty guidebook, a faculty committee that drew from all programs, as well as the hiring of necessary staff. Notably, Pollack streamlined faculty access to technology, as there was little technology infrastructure in place, working to have the Fine Arts Building wired, and tackling the budgetary process to make it a reality. There was also an effort to renovate and fix up the Reynolds building, further contributing to Pollack’s work to update the physical side of teaching and doing the arts. Along with this, Lucille Little’s major gift for the current Fine Arts Library was received very early on in Pollack’s time as dean, also fostering a good friendship between the two women. Pollack emphasizes how proud she is of where the College has progressed in a very short time, and its productive development beyond just learning. Pollack also fondly remembers attending many student and faculty performances and exhibitions as dean, as well as helping to develop the newly formed arts administration program, which she is pleased to see flourishing.

Pollack believes there is a desire for the arts in Lexington, and that the city has a healthy opinion on the role of the arts, resulting in a highly beneficial educational process for the whole population. With the new Fine Arts facility to come, thanks to the Gatton Foundation’s $150 million gift, Pollack is excited for the future of the fine arts and the expansion of the quality and quantity of arts in both the city and the state. 

Dean Michael Tick is also a theatre scholar and educator, earning his BA from the University of Rhode Island, an MA from Northwestern University, and a PhD from New York University. Tick was previously an associate dean at Louisiana State University, as well as department chair for the theatre department prior to joining UK from 2010 to 2016. Though now the Dean of Syracuse’s College of Visual and Performing Arts, Tick greatly enjoyed living in Lexington and working at UK. Dean Tick looks back at his time as dean fondly. Tick appreciated how active the School of Music was, making a point to go to as many concerts as he could, while also noting that all CFA departments and schools are incredibly strong. 

While dean, Tick spearheaded many initiatives from which the College still benefits today. Notably, Tick worked with President Capilouto to purchase the building that now houses the School of Art and Visual Studies, and made certain that SA/VS faculty had the ability to work with the architects to create a space suited for their program. Also during Tick’s tenure, Holmes Hall on North Campus became a Living Learning Community for creative arts students, including a dance studio, art space,  and music practice rooms. The dance major was also approved while Tick was dean, adding a new opportunity for CFA students. 

Dean Tick believes that the impact of the College of Fine Arts on the Commonwealth is largely due to UK being the flagship institution for the state, heavily impacting not only Lexington, but Kentucky as a whole. In particular, he highlights our nationally recognized music therapy program, a part of the healthcare enterprise at UK. Tick finds the connection between the arts and healing to be deeply important to the welfare of patients, and considers that program to be one of the most important influences on Kentucky.

David Sogin was named interim dean of the College of Fine Arts in 2016. Sogin was a professor in the School of Music, associate dean of the College of Fine Arts, and coordinator of the Music Education Division of the School of Music.

Michael Braun, a graduate of St. Cloud State (BA in Theatre, MA in Arts Administration), has played a foundational role in shaping the Arts Administration program at the University of Kentucky. Hired by Dean Rhoda-Gale Pollack, Braun joined the College of Fine Arts to help launch the newly developed program, one that immediately drew interest from about 40 students. In the early years, he built a curriculum from the ground up, teaching most courses himself. During his time at UK, Braun also supported the creation of the online MA in Arts Administration and led study abroad sessions in London. 

Now retired, Braun continues to support CFA through philanthropy. An endowment fund in his name, established by current endowed professor Rachel Shane, reflects his long-held belief that students should be engaged professionally. The fund supports travel to conferences, international experiences, internships, and other opportunities that expand real-world learning. Braun sees this fund as his legacy and is grateful to give back to the program that supported him through his career.

Braun believes that CFA offers the strongest arts education opportunities in Kentucky and the surrounding region, especially as the state’s flagship university. With UK’s resources and the emerging arts district, thanks to the Gatton Foundation’s recent gift, he sees Lexington as a uniquely rich environment for the arts. He credits the CFA faculty for their dedication, professionalism, and care for students, calling the college a wonderful place to have worked. 

Reflecting on the arts today, Braun believes they are a driving force for expression, exploration, and curiosity, presenting the ability to see the best in humanity. He says the arts open our eyes to the world and to one another’s perspectives. Braun also acknowledges technology and its impact on the arts, noting that AI presents new challenges, but that the human drive to create is still strong. Institutions willing to adapt will be the ones to lead through those changes. 

James Campbell spent nearly four decades dedicated to percussion education at UK. After earning his bachelor's and master's degrees from Northern Illinois University, he taught at Montana State University before joining UK in 1985 as its first full-time percussion professor. During his distinguished career, he served as president of the Percussive Arts Society and received numerous honors, including induction into PAS's Hall of Fame and a Lifetime Achievement Award. He was also inducted into the Music for All Drum Corps International Hall of Fame.

Campbell enjoyed working with outstanding musicians and collaborating across the College on projects that brought together music, dance, and visual arts. He counts his greatest legacy as the success of his students. He said he was privileged to work with 32 doctoral graduates, 20 master's graduates, and 123 undergraduate percussion performance majors. Forty-six of those students have taught in higher education. One such mentee, Matthew Geiger, succeeded him as director of percussion studies at UK.

A passionate advocate for arts education, Campbell believes the arts foster creativity, collaboration, and the free exchange of ideas.

A deeply influential former faculty member, Harry Clarke arrived on campus at UK in 1965, witnessing the advent of both the School of Fine Arts and the College, leaving an impact through public outreach, the Wildcat Marching Band, and his extensive work as the director of the School of Music. Originally a teaching assistant with the band, that role evolved into the director of the Office of Fine Arts Service, arts column writer for the Lexington Herald-Leader, and editor for Accent magazine, all before becoming the full-time director of the marching band. Clarke was able to grow the marching band from around 80 students before his tenure to the hundreds of students who participate today.

Clarke believed that the best way to recruit students for both the marching and concert bands would be through developing a music education program, which necessitated hiring faculty who would attract and recruit students. Through hiring full-time instrumental and music education faculty, UK’s music sphere blossomed and grew into the talent that now comes out of the school with every graduating class. Clarke notes that this internal overhaul is what he credits to the growth of all bands, as well as one of the things he is most proud of in his time at UK. 

Equally as notable as his time as band director was Clarke’s 14 years as the director of the School of Music. He saw the challenge of directing as something he wanted to and could do, so he took it up. He developed the vocal and choral programs, hiring faculty such as Jefferson Johnson and Everett McCorvey, and expanded the nationally renowned Musicology program with the aid of Ron Pen and his emphasis on the folk-like aspects and history of music. Along with that, he helped facilitate and carry out the renovation of the Lucille Little Library with the endowment from its namesake under Dean Rhoda-Gale Pollack. After stepping down as Director, Clarke continued teaching Music Education until 2011, still keeping a strong relationship with the university through appearances at concerts and rehearsals, as well as a friendship with Dean Shanda. 

While Clarke was faculty, what he enjoyed most was being able to work with the high-quality students he worked to recruit, with many of his band alumni going on to become middle school, high school, and collegiate band directors at schools such as FSU, Syracuse, and UCLA. Clarke believes that the arts are becoming increasingly important over time and that the idea and understanding of creation in all forms of the arts make a better citizenry for us all. He emphasizes that a lot of that idea and understanding of the arts comes through education, and is a strong advocate for arts curriculum throughout schooling, from elementary school through college.

A 2020 graduate, Brianna Armstrong earned her BFA in Art Studio from the School of Art and Visual Studies. She said her favorite part of being at UK was the independence she gained, having her own space and spending time in the SA/VS building. She loved working with different mediums and using the many resources available through CFA, most notably her welding classes and cheetah-print boiler suit!

Currently, Armstrong’s career is a bit of everything. Her main role is as a registered behavioral technician, but she also works as a multimedia fiber and textile artist, model, party princess, and show curator. She credits her mentors in CFA and their advice along the way that prepared her for life after graduation, shouting out Jeremy Colbert, Garry Bibbs, and Rae Goodwin in particular. Armstrong says these individuals saw her potential and gave her the tools and connections she needed to grow both as an artist and a woman.

In 2023, Armstrong created and funded her own scholarship, the “Big Steppa Award,” given to a student in the arts who “stands on business about what they want to do.” She believes every artistic medium is valuable and intentionally opened the award to students in any creative discipline. Brianna wanted to give others the kind of support she once received, and says she enjoyed tailoring the scholarship around the qualities she believes matter most. 

Armstrong believes the fine arts are crucial, emphasizing that without creativity, we have nothing. Through the capturing of history and the showcasing of current events, Armstrong believes that artists have a responsibility to capture those moments, something she sees as more important now than ever.

Having graduated from CFA in 2009 (BMME and BM in Music Performance) and the Manhattan School of Music (MM in Music Performance), John-Morgan Bush has continued the legacy of success from CFA alumni. As the dean of Juilliard Expansion at The Juilliard School, Bush represents and assists the over 1,500 students who take classes through the school that aren’t part of degree programs. With a focus on continuing education, lifelong learning, creative aging, and arts and health, his position allows him to keep people curious about the performing arts across their lifespan. 

Bush believes that CFA is keeping the cultural flame alive for the Commonwealth, persevering through challenges of outreach and funding, and recognizing the value of keeping the arts alive. The artistic heartbeat of Kentucky, UK works to continue the legacy of Lexington as the "Athens of the South," making sure there is a place for art to flourish and have a place in society. 

In the wake of the Gatton Foundation’s landmark gift for the new arts district, Bush encourages fellow alumni to give back to the college and community that helped shape them. He remains grateful to the faculty mentors who influenced his own journey.

Destyni Green's path to arts leadership began through her visual arts training. A classically trained visual artist and graduate of the Cleveland Institute of Art, Green completed UK's MA in Arts Administration in 2023. The experience reshaped her career trajectory and her understanding of what it means to lead in the arts.

Green serves as the director and coordinator of Orange Art Center, a community arts organization in Pepper Pike, Ohio. She also runs an arts administration consulting agency and works as a teaching assistant for the Department of Arts Administration's online programs, where she is currently pursuing her PhD.

Green credits UK's graduate program with strengthening her skills as a writer and researcher, and it opened her eyes to the possibility of pursuing research as a career. She describes the experience as well-rounded and foundational to the work she does today. What was her favorite part of the program? Without hesitation, Green says her faculty and peers created a community in which she felt understood and supported. She said the program was the first time she truly felt surrounded by "her people."

Green believes the arts play an essential role in defining culture. Art brings unheard voices to the forefront, holds society accountable, encourages communication, and builds community. "Art is a part of everything," she affirms.

CFA grad Jennifer Gould earned her degrees in Art Studio and Scenic Design in 2019, subsequently receiving her MFA in Set Design at Carnegie-Mellon. Coming from a family of UK alumni, she had a built-in community of cousins and a sister at UK while she pursued her degree. At the College of Fine Arts, Gould appreciated being around people who knew what it took to do the art she wanted to do, and the creative and inspiring work those around her were producing. She says she felt alive being in CFA. You could walk into any building and hear music or see student art, and she enjoyed being surrounded by that energy. 

Gould currently lives in Los Angeles and works as an assistant art director on live and variety special events. Notably, Gould has worked on the Oscars for the past two years. Her position entails drafting, 3D modeling, and construction drawing of sets and scenery; pre-producing and drawing everything; and loading in the scenery for the productions on which she works. Gould credits CFA for teaching her what her options were within art and theatre, which not only made her education more fun but also allowed her to pursue her unique interests. Her professors, especially Zak Stribling, gave her individual attention to her interest in scenic design, giving her lots of hands-on experience. In 2018, she even produced her own show, “Crimes of the Heart.”

Gould notes entertainment as the foremost, or most obvious, example of the role that the arts play in today’s society, bringing people enjoyment and escape. She emphasizes the power of storytelling within the arts, and the power that holds, being able to watch or read something and see the world reflected at you in a way that is new or different. As she puts it, the arts give the world a “fun, sneaky way to show you things that you may be missing.”

Jim Albisetti became a part of UK’s Arts & Sciences faculty in 1979, through a joint program with the honors program and the history department, specializing in 19th-century German and Western European history. Alongside his role as faculty, he developed a relationship with the UK Art Museum, having been a member since 1985. Now retired, Albisetti participates significantly in philanthropy, giving to WUKY, the College of Arts & Sciences, the Lewis Honors College, and the Art Museum. He frequents the Art Museum, CFA events and performances, most notably A Grand Night for Singing with the opera program, making an appearance at almost every show since it began more than 30 years ago. 

Albisetti stays engaged with the UK Art Museum, particularly through philanthropic support, because he believes that arts education is essential. His philanthropy supports in-person performances and institutions, combating a decline in in-person experiences and uplifting the community aspect of the arts and performance. Albisetti is intentional about the areas he chooses to support and enjoys seeing the impact of his philanthropy during his lifetime.

As a former history professor, Albisetti looks at art as history and its importance in that context, considering the earliest evidence of civilization is, largely, the art and architecture that was left behind. Along with that, he believes that CFA has done a remarkable job of placing people in a wide variety of areas, such as the Department of Arts Administration’s importance in Lexington’s downtown arts community, as well as the talent of the musicians who graduate from the School of Music.

Albisetti notes that the arts bring people together and provoke, often raising questions and sparking movements.

“Being challenged is a good thing,” he says.

A lifelong musician, educator, and arts advocate, Jane Johnson earned a Bachelor of Music in Music Education and a Master of Music in Sacred Music from UK, as well as a Master of Arts in Church Music from the Lexington Theological Seminary. A church organist for nearly 50 years, she has served as the organist at Crestwood Christian Church in Lexington for 26 years.

Johnson served as the College of Fine Arts Director of Student Affairs from 1984 to 2016, helping guide generations of students through their collegiate journey while also playing a role in establishing the College's Arts Administration program.

Reflecting on her time at UK, she treasures being surrounded by the creativity of students, faculty, and staff. "I enjoyed going to art majors' senior shows, to productions in the Guignol Theatre, and to countless recitals and concerts in the School of Music, to see what 'my' student advisees were doing and to cheer them on."

She hopes her greatest impact was encouraging students to recognize their potential and pursue their goals with confidence. She firmly believes in the value of an education in the arts.

"An education in the arts is important because it recognizes the humanness and creativity inherent in each individual," Johnson said. "Some children do not have a bent towards math and science, but put a crayon in their hands, and they can begin to express themselves. Imagine a world without music, without dance, without art. It would be a bleak existence. We need to nurture arts education from an early age so that every child has an outlet for self-expression in a way best suited to the individual."