The Center for Arts Education Names Dr. Jerry M. James Director of Teaching and Learning

NEW YORK, NY (July 1, 2010) -- Dr. Jerry M. James has been named Director of Teaching and Learning at The Center for Arts Education (CAE), effective July 1, 2010.

Prior to joining CAE, Dr. James was the first full-time teaching artist for visual art at Lincoln Center Institute, where his responsibilities included teacher training, instruction and consulting at public schools, universities and cultural institutions in New York City, nationally and abroad, to guarantee that students, teachers, parents and administrators have sustainable, diverse, challenging and meaningful experiences of music, art, dance, theater and film.

“We’re thrilled that Jerry is joining us,” said Richard Kessler, CAE’s Executive Director. “His significant knowledge and skills developing arts education curricula will help refine and articulate the vision of our Teaching and Learning initiatives, to create and implement new programs and initiatives aligned with our overall mission to ensure that quality arts education is an essential part of every child’s education in the New York City public schools,” he said.

As CAE’s Director of Teaching and Learning, Dr. James becomes a member of CAE’s senior staff and leadership team, playing a key role in guiding the future of CAE. He will oversee the various programs and initiatives of the Teaching and Learning Department, including the School Arts Support Initiative, Parents As Arts Partners, Teaching Artist Training Institute, Principals Institute, Arts Powered Learning/Promising Practices and others.

Dr. James is a professor of art education at the School of Visual Arts and Hunter College. He holds an MFA in painting from Yale University and an Ed.D. from Teachers College, Columbia University. His professional affiliations include the American Society of Composers and Authors, the College Art Association and the National Art Education Association. He is a member of the University Council for Art Education. He has received a number of awards, including three fellowships from the Virginia Museum of Fine Art and the Ely Harwood Schless Memorial Fund Prize for Painting from Yale University. In 2006, he received an Outstanding Teaching Award from Columbia University.