Performance artist Nao Bustamante joins USC Roski as vice dean of art
The work of the video and visual artist, filmmaker and writer demonstrates the importance of research in making art, says the school’s dean
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Internationally renowned performance artist Nao Bustamante has been named associate professor and vice dean of art at the USC Roski School of Art and Design.
In the latter role, Bustamante will lead USC Roski’s Master of Fine Arts program, also providing direction and oversight for the school’s Bachelor of Fine Arts and bachelor degrees in fine art. Bustamante’s position as vice dean will officially begin in January.
Her experience in a wide array of media and disciplines will be of tremendous benefit to our students.
Erica Muhl
“Nao’s work exemplifies the importance of research and cultural acuity in making art, which is an essential component of our programs,” said Dean Erica Muhl. “Her experience in a wide array of media and disciplines from performance, to film, to sculpture and installation will be of tremendous benefit to our students as we prepare them to thrive in an art world with fewer boundaries and increasing opportunities, but also greater challenges.”
Amelia Jones, Robert A. Day Professor in Fine Arts and vice dean of critical studies at USC Roski, added: “Nao Bustamante produces some of the most cutting-edge work in hybrid media and performance, and USC Roski will benefit from her innovative teaching methods and extensive connections across the art and performance worlds in California and internationally.
“We are all really excited as well to have an artist whose practice is based on research, crossing over practice, history and theory, and a colleague who deeply understands the challenges and opportunities of the art school today.”
Bustamante comes to USC from the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, where she served as associate professor of new media and live art. Her work encompasses several disciplines, including video installation, visual art, filmmaking and writing.
“I’ve always admired USC Roski’s dedication to supporting and educating artists in a way that is relevant to pressing cultural issues,” said Bustamante, who earned her MFA at the San Francisco Art Institute.