Saul Ostrow appointed Dean of Fine Arts at Cleveland Institute of Art, plans curriculum overhaul

Saul Ostrow has relocated from New York to Cleveland, assuming the role of Dean of Fine Arts and Chair of Painting at the Cleveland Institute of Art. His spouse, Shirley Kaneda, has taken a teaching position at Pratt Institute after her return from Los Angeles. Ostrow's vision includes modernizing the institution by merging contemporary art theory with studio practices, with an emphasis on transitioning from abstract to figurative painting. He intends to rebrand the programs as visual or studio arts, placing a spotlight on sculpture while addressing its enrollment challenges. Additionally, he critiques the art history curriculum for prioritizing connoisseurship and plans to make revisions. Ostrow also oversees the 'Critical Voices in Art, Theory and Culture' series and is curating a fall 2005 exhibition at Paine Webber Galleries, showcasing artists such as Ann Truitt and Jackson Pollock.