August 12, 2014 – Since 1930, Kingsbury Hall has served Utah as a performance hall of the first order, delivering diverse artistic performances to the University of Utah community as well as audiences from the greater Wasatch Front. Now, with new leadership, Kingsbury Hall will as well become a keystone in University’s academic mission to integrate arts into the student experience.

Leading that transformation will be Brooke Horejsi [hōrsh], who joined the U on July 1, 2014 as executive director of Kingsbury Hall and—for the first time in the U’s history—assistant dean of the U’s College of Fine Arts.

The 2014/2015 Kingsbury Hall season begins October 4 and reflects the innovative arrangement of acts to not just provide entertainment, but further the University of Utah’s academic mission.

“I am excited to connect the work of the artists on our season beyond the stage,” said Horejsi. “The opportunities to collaborate and create connections with students and faculty, as well as in our larger communities are abundant.”

“This integration of the arts across campus serves to ensure that what takes place is not just entertainment, but also intellectual enlightenment,” said Raymond Tymas-Jones, associate vice president for the arts at the U and dean of the College of Fine Arts. “Brooke’s experience and credentials in the arts will facilitate conversations on campus, and create opportunities for experiences our students find relevant to their intellectual, cultural and aesthetic interests.”

“We are delighted that Brooke has joined the U’s leadership team with this new, dual responsibility,” said Ruth Watkins, senior vice president for academic affairs. “Kingsbury Hall is a vibrant component of our arts and education agenda, and will hold a central place in fostering innovation, creativity and quality of life on campus and our region.”

Horejsi comes to the U with more than 15 years of experience in the field of creativity. She most recently served as the deputy director of fine arts programming at the College of Saint Benedict/Saint John’s University, a campus-based arts presenter with a series of more than 30 performing and visual artists each year. Horejsi earned Bachelor of Arts degrees in Spanish, English and theater from the University of Minnesota, and received Master of Arts degree in arts administration from the University of Oregon. She has served as adjunct faculty and has a variety of grant panel and board service experience with organizations such as Minnesota Citizens for the Arts and the Minnesota Presenters Network.

“In the short time she has been affiliated with Kingsbury Hall, Brooke has already done much to revitalize and refocus its mission,” said Geoffrey Mangum, chair of the Kingsbury Hall Advisory Board. “We are thrilled she accepted the position and are very excited to work with her.”

Visit the websites for more information about Kingsbury Hall or the University of Utah College of Fine Arts.