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Throughout his presidency, John Waterbury has been an ardent champion of the liberal arts thrust of an AUB education. In various orientation addresses, he urged new students to prepare for a changing national and world economy by exploring their creative abilities and arming themselves for an untraditional economic world. With the establishment of a new Fine Arts Department, AUB has “put its money where its mouth is.” The Department of Fine Arts and Art History, available for majors in the second semester of this 2004-05 academic year, is offering courses in drawing, painting, sculpture, ceramics, and art history, which for many years were offered under the aegis of the Civilization Sequence Program. Since the demise of AUB’s Fine Arts Department in 1977, many attempts have been made to revive a department dedicated to studio arts (drawing, painting, sculpture, and ceramics), theater, music, and art history. Finally, a committee chaired by Professor Howayda Al-Harithy and consisting of David Kurani (theater, drawing, painting, and drama), Amal Muraywed (ceramics), Muna Saudi (sculpture), Jala Makhzoumi (landscape design), Samir Thabet (painting), Michael Stanton (architecture), and Paul Meers (music) met over the course of one year to devise a new program. The committee wrestled with problems of philosophy, scope (how much theater and music), practicalities of space (workshops and studios), and needed faculty. Although art courses have been offered regularly, the actual new Department of Fine Arts and Art History, under Acting Chair David Kurani, officially opened its doors in the spring semester with offices in Nicely Hall. Kurani is enthusiastic about the department. “Good art,” he says, “should be inspiring, thought-provoking, and worthwhile. It should have a tonic effect on the artist himself, as well as on the community. It should be oxygen—even ozone—to all who experience it. The new department aspires to have this effect.” The department offers two majors: a BA in studio arts and a BA in art history. Minors will be available in music and theater, as well as in studio arts and art history. Specializations in the department could lead to a variety of careers, in teaching, museum curating, gallery directing, and art criticism. The department, closely allied with the School of Architecture and Graphic Design, will offer introductory courses in art and specific courses in drawing, painting, sculpture, ceramics, conceptual art, and art history, among others. Courses are also offered in music—elements of music, theory of music, applied music (choir), world opera, voice performance, Arab music, and world music. Courses in theater include introduction, history, voice and acting, design, and workshops in acting, directing, and theater production. Acting Chair Kurani says AUB’s art department will be different from similar units in other universities in Lebanon. It will remain flexible and ready to encourage students to explore what they have to say within the “changing role and influence of art in society, with its increasing diversity and application in a technologically advancing world.” Of top importance is conceptual art, which goes beyond the merely academic, is never media specific, develops social commentary, and focuses on both local and world culture. Art has always been a rich part of student activity at AUB, with its varied skills, courses, and a wealth of exhibitions, concerts, and dramatic productions unfolding on campus each year. Through the initiative of Faculty of Arts and Sciences Dean Khalil Bitar and the committee, art has now become a formal part of AUB’s academic offerings. Facilities are already in place: drawing, painting, and set design classrooms, on the fourth floor of Nicely Hall; two sculpture studios, one in the basement of Jessup Hall and one in Nicely; and the ceramics studio in Nicely. Meanwhile, a new studio will be needed for conceptual art; and with the possibility of four new student majors joining the department each year, one new faculty member will have to be added. Dean Bitar sees a strong future for the department in “enhancing offerings in the humanities. The initial feedback through enrollment in studio arts courses so far has been very encouraging. Already nineteen students have been admitted to the new majors in studio arts and art history.”
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