Dear Arts Schools Network Colleagues and Friends,

It is an honor to begin my term as President of the Art School Network! My passion, commitment and dedication to nurturing the next generation of world class artists and scholars remains steadfast, and I feel both optimistic and energized as we enter 2010 that the Arts Schools Network will continue to provide invaluable service and support to our membership.

I would like to thank Denise Davis-Cotton for her dedicated leadership of Network the past two years as well as all of the past-presidents whose vision has shaped Network, making it the dynamic and relevant organization it is today. I also extend my appreciation to my fellow Board members who have become inspiring mentors and respected colleagues to me over the past decade.

I am excited to welcome to the Art School Network Board the following new members:

• Patricia Decker - Director of Recruitment at New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts
• Dorothy Marshall Englis - Chair of the Conservatory of Theatre Arts at Webster University
• Donn Harris - Executive Director of the Oakland School of the Arts
• Sharon Kazee - Dean and Vice President for Arts and Academics at the South Carolina Governor’s School for the Arts & Humanities
• Carol Kim - Dean of Enrollment Management at California Institute of the Arts
• George Simpson - Principal of the LA County High School of the Arts

I also want to thank and recognize three past-presidents that are returning to the Board:

• Jackie Cornelius - Executive Director of Fine Arts for Duval County School District  (Jacksonville, FL)
• Roy Fluhrer - Director of Greenville County School District’s Fine Arts Center
• William Lowman - President of the Idyllwild Arts Foundation

I am confident that these new and returning Board members will bring insight, wisdom and entrepreneurial leadership to the organization.
I feel very fortunate that the management of the Arts School Network is in the very capable hands of our Executive Director, Kristy Callaway. Kristy’s enthusiastic leadership over the past two years has brought renewed vitality, stability and relevance to the Art School Network.

As we move into the New Year, the Network board is committed to continuing to develop meaningful and pertinent support to its membership, focusing on sharing the most current, creative and innovative information in the areas of:

• Matriculation to Higher Education/Career
• Arts Integration
• Arts School Leadership/Management
• Best Practices/Arts Instruction

The Art school Network has the leadership, vision and expertise to best serve Art School leaders across the country, and I am honored to serve as President as the Art School Network begins this new and exciting chapter in its history.
I wish the Art School Network family a very happy and prosperous New Year!

All good things,
Ralph Opacic