Rachel Debuque Named Director of the U of A’s School of Art

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – Rachel Debuque has been named director of the University of Arkansas’ School of Art in the Fulbright College of Arts and Sciences beginning July 1. 

Debuque was previously associate professor and associate director of George Mason University School of Art. Her experiences as an administrator, interdisciplinary artist and educator who centers on fostering accessible and inclusive communities position her well to build on the U of A’s School of Art successes and to lead the school into its next era as a destination for the study of art and design. 

“We are excited to welcome Rachel to the University of Arkansas at such an important time in the history of both Fulbright College and the School of Art. Her experience, leadership, attention to student and faculty success, vision and collaborative spirit will be put to good use in leading the School of Art forward,” said Laura Jacobs, chief of staff and search committee chair. “I’d also like to extend my gratitude to the members of the search committee and the School of Art community for their steady and thoughtful participation throughout the search.” 

Debuque is an accomplished arts administrator with her teaching, service and artistic practice informing one another and overlapping throughout her career. She engages a hybrid research approach that explores the reach of sculpture, installation, digital media and performance art. In addition, she has an extensive national exhibition record working with many artist-driven, grassroots organizations, and she is drawn to exhibiting at venues committed to experimental approaches in making. 

Her interdisciplinary understanding of art has allowed her to navigate students’ needs across disciplines, which is an interdisciplinary art practice that aligns well with the future trajectory of arts education. 

“Students are navigating a rapidly shifting cultural landscape and attend college for a variety of reasons. We should be responsive to their goals while providing educational environments that are accessible, engaged and psychologically healthy,” said Debuque. 

“With the school’s foundation in place, we can increase our focus to empower and prepare students to be innovative stewards who are ready to create positive change in their communities,” she added. 

The U of A’s School of Art was established in fall 2017 with a $120 million gift from the Walton Foundation. The school also received a $40 million gift and a $30 million partial grant challenge from the Windgate Foundation to create the Windgate Art and Design District in the heart of south Fayetteville. 

Since becoming a School of Art, the school has launched three new graduate programs, built and restored multiple facilities, grown enrollment from 300 to over 600 students and annually awards unprecedented financial support of over $1 million to students. 

Debuque’s leadership and experience will continue to enhance the school’s transformation, propelling art education, creative activity and research in the state while also providing unparalleled access and opportunities to students. 

She envisions implementing sustainable and inclusive practices, cultivating a sense of belonging through interdisciplinary strategies, maximizing resources to increase access and academic excellence and creating new pathways to economic prosperity for Arkansas. 

“This vision and strategy, along with the depth and breadth of her experiences as a maker, artist and academic leader is exactly why Rachel is the right person to lead our incredible School of Art into its next phase of success and growth,” said Brian E. Raines, dean of the U of A’s Fulbright College of Arts and Sciences, which is home to the School of Art.  

“It’s an energizing and exciting time for the school and college, as new leaders like Rachel work together to build on the foundations of the past, while creating tremendous opportunity for the future. In particular, her focus on student success, fostering a sense of belonging, and intentionally managed enrollment growth are impressive and will be an asset in this new role,” he added.  

ABOUT RACHEL DEBUQUE 

Debuque is an accomplished visual artist and designer, arts administrator and educator centered on fostering accessible and inclusive communities.  

While associate director at George Mason University School of Art, she served approximately 5,000 students, 550 majors and 100 faculty and staff, working closely and collaboratively with the director and assistant director in the development of academic programs and achieving goals of a shared vision. 

The school boasts some of the highest numbers of diversity on the campus, and Debuque was key in fostering a sense of belonging with students, contributing to increasing enrollment by 40% since 2019. 

Debuque’s research and work spans installation, sculpture, video and performance, exploring identity, psychology, spiritualism and consumerism. She is interested in how these topics can pair with accessible expressions of humor, joy and absurdity to defy traditional art paradigms.  

Her work has been exhibited extensively including The Cue Foundation in New York City and Vox Populi in Philadelphia and the ICA in Baltimore. Debuque was an artist in residence at The Bemis Center for Contemporary Arts and received the Southern Constellations Fellowship at Elsewhere: A Living Museum. She received a Maryland State Arts Grant for Sculpture and the 2018 and 2023 Robert K. Purks Faculty award. Her work has been featured in The Huffington Post, Washington City Paper, Bmore Art, Daily Serving, Maake Magazine and ART 21 Magazine. 

Debuque received her M.F.A. with an emphasis in sculpture at the University of Georgia and her B.F.A. from Indiana University of Pennsylvania. 

About the University of Arkansas: As Arkansas’ flagship institution, the U of A provides an internationally competitive education in more than 200 academic programs. Founded in 1871, the U of A contributes more than $2.2 billion to Arkansas’ economy through the teaching of new knowledge and skills, entrepreneurship and job development, discovery through research and creative activity while also providing training for professional disciplines. The Carnegie Foundation classifies the U of A among the few U.S. colleges and universities with the highest level of research activity. U.S. News & World Report ranks the U of A among the top public universities in the nation. See how the U of A works to build a better world at Arkansas Research News.  

This story also appeared in the University of Arkansas News publication.