UTSA names Libby Rowe as founding director of School of Art

JULY 25, 2023 — The UTSA College of Liberal and Fine Arts (COLFA) has appointed interim director Libby Rowe as the inaugural director of its School of Art, following a nationwide search.

The school was created following UTSA’s integration with the Southwest School of Art—now known as the UTSA Southwest Campus.

The School of Art, previously the Department of Art and Art History, has been generating world-class art professionals since UTSA’s founding in 1969. The school currently offers a variety of degree plans for students including a B.A. and a B.F.A in art and a B.A. in art history & criticism. Graduate students may earn a M.F.A or a M.A. in art history. The school is one of the largest in the region with more than 500 students enrolled.

“After an extensive national search, we have found that the best talent for the COLFA School of Art founding director position is right here at home.”

Libby Rowe stepped in her new role as inaugural director of the UTSA School of Art on July 1 following a nationawide search.

“I would like to thank the committee and its co-chairs, Tracy Cowden and Lisa Montoya, and our many community partners from across San Antonio’s rich arts ecosystem who helped make this search a success,” said Glenn Martínez, dean of the college. “I have great confidence in Libby Rowe’s ability to lead the new School of Art during its formative years, building on the strong foundations established by the Southwest School of Art and the UTSA Department of Art and Art History. Libby’s deep understanding and appreciation of these foundations will ensure that the new School of Art emerges as a coveted destination for students seeking top quality instruction in studio art, art history and art education.”

Rowe’s appointment, which became official just a few days before the one-year anniversary of UTSA’s integration with the Southwest School of Art, opens an exciting new chapter for the School of Art and its students. The school’s additional resources and expanded classroom, studio and exhibition space has created new opportunities to expand course offerings in the arts for students and the broader community.

Under Rowe's guidance, the School of Art will actively seek partnerships with local, national and international art organizations. These connections will provide students with valuable experiential learning opportunities such as internships, exhibitions and artistic exchanges.

Rowe's expertise, commitment to community involvement, and passion for providing opportunities for students make her an invaluable asset to the UTSA community. With Rowe at the forefront, the UTSA School of Art is poised to continue its tradition of excellence while exploring new frontiers in art education and creative expression.

“Our faculty and staff have worked hard to set a strong foundation for the school over the past year, building on the many years of dynamic arts education at UTSA,” said Rowe. “This year has already provided new opportunities to engage with local galleries and exhibitions and we look forward to developing further relationships with partners across the region, the country and internationally.”

“After an extensive national search, we have found that the best talent for the COLFA School of Art founding director position is right here at home. Libby Rowe’s ability to lead and work collaboratively with all in our community for the benefit of our students was evident in her key role throughout UTSA’s integration with the Southwest School of Art,” said UTSA Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs Kimberly Andrews Espy. “I am especially grateful to our search committee and our community partners whose experience and expertise were so important to the success of the search. I have no doubt that under Libby’s leadership, the School of Art will flourish and provide a vibrant learning experience to prepare UTSA students well for their bold futures.”

Rowe received her B.F.A. from the University of Northern Iowa and her M.F.A. from Syracuse University. As an artist, Rowe works in photography, sculpture, interactive installation, and performance. Her artwork explores sociological, physiological and psychological aspects of femininity and ideas of identity and belonging through self-definitions informed by social and domestic constructs. She has been exhibited across the United States and abroad, most recently in Mexico City at Casa Lü Gallery. Her work also resides in permanent collections at the Light Work Gallery in Syracuse, New York, at the Hoffman Gallery in Portland, Oregon, and in private collections across the nation.

With a strong foundation in art education, Rowe brings a wealth of experience to her new role. Before joining UTSA in 2009, she was a member of the faculty at Vanderbilt University, the Oregon College of Art and Craft, Truman State University and at the University of Alabama at Tuscaloosa.

A search advisory committee comprising faculty, staff and students from the former UTSA Department of Art and Art History and the former Southwest School of Art worked in partnership with executive search firm Koya Partners to conduct a nationwide search for the founding director of the new UTSA School of Art.

Rowe stepped into the role officially on July 1.

— Nick Ward