Updates on Restructuring

As you may recall, President Díaz shared news with alumni in early August about a restructuring of the administration. As he wrote, “I believe that this structure in the long term will help Curtis become an organization that responds to today’s realities and better prepares artists for the future in an ever-evolving field…The restructuring addresses the near-term effects of COVID-19, responds to important needs in the Curtis learning environment, and aligns the administration with my vision for Curtis, which rests upon three foundational legs: education, touring, and technology.”

Here is an updated summary of the key changes and progress that has been made towards these goals:

• Improved administrative support for education: The Dean’s office will now be supported by three administrative teams focused on curriculum, musician lifecycle, and production.
  • Curriculum: Dr. Jeanne M. McGinn took on the additional role of senior associate dean of academics in September. She now oversees the school’s academic programs and faculty as well as the library resources that complement our students’ work throughout their enrollment.
  • Musician lifecycle functions: Curtis’s strategic plan calls for the school to implement a process through which any musician engaging with Curtis—applicants, students, and alumni—can be supported in an inclusive, data-driven, and continuous cycle of engagement.
    • Student Affairs: Patricia Carpino has transitioned to a new role as senior associate dean of student affairs. Her team will tend to student support functions, including residence life, the registrar’s office, and financial assistance. Also part of this team is Shea Scruggs, who joined us in September as director of institutional research and musician experience/chief enrollment officer. His duties include coordinating Curtis’s program of institutional research, overseeing admission, and engaging alumni in the development of current and prospective students.
    • Community Equity and Belonging: In his new role as senior associate dean and special advisor to the president for strategic engagement, Nicholas Lewis is empowered to work across departments of Curtis to advance equity and promote inclusion both inside and outside our community.
  • Production: Because the pandemic has curtailed the viability of live performance at this time, we have eliminated the Department of Artistic Programs and Performance and created a smaller team under Colleen Hood, senior director of production. This team oversees the piano workshop, chamber music, master classes and recitals, orchestral concerts, and opera production, and reports to the Dean’s office.
  • Artistic Programming: David Serkin Ludwig continues to advise the president, the dean, faculty, and senior administration on Curtis’s artistic and educational programming to reflect our institutional priorities and help shape the artistic direction of the school.

• Department of Digital Strategy and Innovation: To better integrate technology across different elements of our operations and show leadership in the intersection of music education and technology, a new department of Digital Strategy and Innovation has been created. An expert in the field will be announced shortly to lead the department and Ali King has also joined the team as director of marketing and business development. This department will oversee audio/visual production, information technology, and digital marketing, cooperating across departments to achieve educational, artistic, communications, and fundraising goals.

• Curtis support functions: Changes are being made to respond to ongoing advice from external experts on administrative best practices and focus fundraising efforts on a trajectory toward the 2024 centenary.
  • Human resources: Curtis is conducting a thorough search for a director of equal opportunity and chief Title IX officer. To ensure maximum impartiality and to maintain compliance with new federal guidelines, Curtis will be outsourcing investigations and hearings. An Ombuds Office, consisting of Dean Lewis and Ms. Carpino, has been created and serves as a neutral and accessible point of contact for members of our community to resolve differences and explore matters of concern.
  • Institutional Advancement: Christopher Mossey continues to lead this department, focused on fundraising and constituent engagement. A critical part of the department’s work will be a comprehensive campaign to raise funds for the endowment, the physical campus, and the annual fund.
  • Communications: Patricia K. Johnson reports directly to the president as senior director of communications and public affairs.

• Cross-institutional working groups: Three high-functioning, cross-departmental working groups have begun to meet regularly. These working groups are focused on student, staff, alumni, and faculty well-being; institutional messaging and market segmentation; and concert and opera production.

• President’s Cabinet: President Díaz has formed a new cabinet comprised of staff members from across all departments. This cabinet meets regularly with the president and works in smaller groups to address issues as they arise.

We look forward to continuing to update you on our reorganization progress in the weeks ahead.