Robert Ladislas Derr, associate professor of art, undergraduate chair and photography area coordinator at The Ohio State University, has been named the new Chairman of the Department of Art and Art History at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln. Derr will begin his tenure at UNL on July 1.
"I am honored to be selected and look forward to serving as Chair of the Department of Art and Art History,” Derr said. “It will be my pleasure to work with the faculty, administration and students to forge a dynamic vision that continues the department’s excellence in the study of the visual arts and achieves its future goals.”
Derr received his Master of Fine Arts in photography from the Rhode Island School of Design, and his Bachelor of Fine Arts in photography from the Art Academy of Cincinnati.
Derr began as a teaching assistant at Rhode Island School of Design and became a photography instructor in 2002. From 2002-2004, he was assistant professor of photography/digital media at Stephen F. Austin State University before becoming assistant professor of art at The Ohio State University in 2004. He became associate professor in 2010.
In his own work, Derr translates the world around him through visual manifestations that leave viewers with a sideway glance. For Derr, life is a performance that sets the stage for his making.
Exhibitions and performances of his work have been held worldwide including the Canberra Contemporary Art Space, Mendel Art Gallery, Schirn Kunsthalle, Wexner Center for the Arts and Irish Film Institute, among others.
His awards include the Urbana Public Arts Commission, Lower Manhattan Cultural Council and Ohio Arts Council. Some of the permanent collections holding his work include Loyola University Museum of Art, Miami-Dade Public Library and Indiana University Art Museum.
“We are fortunate that Robert Derr has accepted our invitation to lead the Department of Art and Art History,” said Hixson-Lied College of Fine and Performing Arts Endowed Dean Charles O’Connor. “He has the vision and experience as an artist and academic leader to position our outstanding art and art history program among the best of its kind. We look forward to working with Robert in the years to come.”
Derr replaces Pete Pinnell, who has served as chair since 2011.