By
Jose Ceja
Arizona Daily Wildcat
Search for a new director to begin soon
The Center for Creative Photography's status as a world-renowned museum will not be jeopardized by a decision to keep the university library system as its overseer, the dean of libraries said Friday.
Many have argued - including members of the Center's staff - that its function as a museum would best be served if liberated from control of the university library system, which many fear will cause contemporary art to play a secondary role.
University of Arizona Provost George Davis, however, ruled in September that the museum would remain under the university library system.
In a meeting held Friday afternoon, about 30 faculty and students gathered to voice concerns over the CCP's future in a talk with Carla Stoffle, dean of libraries.
Stoffle said that, although the CCP will remain under control of the university libraries, its role as a museum and medium of expression for contemporary art will not be displaced by the archival role implied by keeping it under the direction of the library system.
Mia Ruyter, a UA assistant professor of art, said she is still concerned the museum will become more conservative and exhibit works from archives instead of contemporary art.
The firing of Terry Pitts, former CCP director, and the resignation of Nancy Lutz, former acting director - who resigned after hearing Davis' decision - have generated concern over the direction of the center, Ruyter said.
Until a permanent replacement is found, Amy Rule, former co-director of the museum will act as temporary director.
Stoffle said that a steering committee will be assembled to assist in determining who will be the next director - something Ruyter said is vital to the museum's future.
The panel will help decide what kind of background and approach the future director will bring to the CCP.
"It can be the difference between hiring someone who supports the contemporary or someone who does not," Ruyter said.
Stoffle said she hopes that a new director will be hired by early summer and that it is her intention to assemble a diverse steering panel to find an applicant compatible with the future of the CCP.
"The decision to stay in (control) of the library represents that the Center will stay the same," Stoffle said.
Stoffle said there have been a lot of rumors that have spread alarm in the UA community in regards to the future of the CCP.
"I know that there are many misunderstandings, and I appreciate the opportunity to meet with anyone who wants to clarify things," she said.
The CCP, valued at $60 million contains about 60,000 prints from approximately 2,000 photographers and is one of the main reasons Kristina Kambler, a photography junior, hasn't left the UA.
"I am a fine arts student, and I visit the center every chance I get and one of the reasons I don't transfer is because of the Center," Kambler said. "That's pretty much the only thing keeping me at this school."
Ruyter said students from as far as Japan have decided to attend the UA because of the reputation of the CCP.
Ruyter said she was pleased with what she saw on Friday and that communication between the CCP and the UA community is essential in resolving the issue and creating the best possible future for the CCP.
"Now I will just have to wait and see," she said.
