Leadership Announcement: Interim Executive Director, School of the Arts

Below is a letter sent on behalf of Adam Bradford, Vice President for Academic Affairs on Tuesday, April 14:

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Dear Colleagues,

I am pleased to announce that Professor Tara Young, Chair of the Department of Theatre and Dance, has agreed to serve as the Interim Executive Director of the new Idaho State University School of the Arts (SoA), effective July 1, 2026. This appointment is a critical step as we move forward to create a community-engaged, entrepreneurially-attuned School of the Arts that will strengthen our regional impact.

Professor Young will serve in this interim capacity until a permanent Executive Director has been appointed through a national search.  The search will launch in fall 2026.

Many of you know Professor Young well. For those less familiar with her, she has been an invaluable member of the ISU Theatre and Dance department since joining us in 2002. She holds a B.A. and an M.F.A. from Southern Illinois University and currently serves as a Professor and the department's Costume Designer. Her extensive experience, which includes professional design work with institutions like Theatre by the Sea, First Folio Shakespeare Festival, and Chicago’s Field Museum, demonstrates a deep understanding of both academic rigor and community-facing engagement. Her leadership experience and commitment to the arts make her exceptionally prepared to step into this interim role.

I am sincerely grateful to her for her willingness to serve ISU and the School of the Arts at this critical juncture. A separate communication will be shared soon regarding the interim leadership plan for the Department of Theatre and Dance to ensure a smooth transition.

Please join me in congratulating Professor Young on her appointment. I look forward to working with her, and with all of you—the faculty, staff, and administration of the departments of Visual Art and Design, Theatre and Dance, and Music—to build something truly remarkable for Idaho State University and our region.

Best,

Adam Bradford
Office of Academic Affairs