Kansas City Art Institute Appoints Dr. Peggy Shannon as 26th Nerman Family President
11.18.2024
The Kansas City Art Institute is delighted to announce the appointment of Dr. Peggy Shannon as its 26th Nerman Family President.
Dr. Shannon, a highly accomplished and internationally recognized scholar, artist, and administrator, will assume her new role on May 1, 2025.
Dr. Shannon brings a wealth of experience to KCAI, having served as University President at the Nova Scotia College of Art and Design (NSCAD). Her extensive career spans over two decades, during which she has held leadership positions at prestigious institutions such as The Nova Scotia College of Art and Design, the University of California, Davis, San Diego State University, and Toronto Metropolitan University.
"The Board of Trustees is thrilled to welcome Dr. Shannon to KCAI," said Josh Rowland, Board Chair. "Her deep understanding of the arts and higher education, coupled with her commitment to international collaboration, make her an ideal leader for our institution. We are confident she will guide KCAI to new levels of excellence and innovation."
"Dr. Shannon's appointment is the culmination of a comprehensive and thoughtful search process," added Rowland. "The search committee, chaired by Trustees Beth Harmon Vaughn and Holly Nielsen, dedicated countless hours to identifying and evaluating a diverse pool of highly qualified candidates. We are grateful for their outstanding work and confident that Dr. Shannon is the right person to lead KCAI into the future."
Dr. Shannon's impressive background encompasses a wide range of scholarly and artistic pursuits. Her research interests include gender and war, identity, diversity, and transnationalism. She has led numerous international research and arts initiatives, including The Women & War Project and The Crossing Borders Project, which have involved collaborations with universities and arts centers worldwide.
In addition to her academic achievements, Dr. Shannon has extensive experience in the professional arts. She has directed plays and musicals at numerous professional theaters across the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Greece, and Australia. She also served as the Artistic Director of two major American theaters: A Contemporary Theatre (Seattle) and the Sacramento Theatre Company (Northern California).
Dr. Shannon holds a PhD in Drama from Royal Holloway, University of London; an MFA in Theatre from the University of Washington, Seattle; and a BA with Honors in Theatre from the University of California, Riverside.
"I am honored to be joining KCAI as its next Nerman Family President," said Dr. Shannon. "I believe that creativity is essential, and I am excited to work with the talented faculty, staff, and students at KCAI to foster an environment where creativity flourishes."
Dr. Shannon's appointment marks an exciting new chapter for KCAI. Her leadership promises to further elevate the institution's reputation as a leading center for arts education and innovation.
Vanderslice Hall