Artist, educator, and academic leader to oversee one of the nation’s most integrated arts divisions starting July 1, 2025
TUCSON, Ariz. — The University of Arizona has appointed Hasan Elahi as the next dean of Arizona Arts. He will begin his tenure on July 1, 2025.
Elahi is an artist and higher education leader whose work bridges art, technology, and civic life. His creative projects, centered on themes of identity, surveillance, and media, have been exhibited internationally at the Venice Biennale, Centre Georges Pompidou, and the Sundance Film Festival. He is a Guggenheim Fellow in photography and has presented at TED, the World Economic Forum, and National Geographic.
Elahi currently serves as Dean of the College of Fine, Performing and Communication Arts at Wayne State University in Detroit, where he expanded student support services, grew external partnerships, and oversaw the opening of a new performing arts complex. He previously held academic and leadership positions at George Mason University and the University of Maryland.
At the University of Arizona, Elahi will lead Arizona Arts, an integrated division that unites the academic programs of the College of Fine Arts, comprising the Schools of Art, Dance, Music, and Theatre, Film & Television, with the university’s public-facing arts institutions: Arizona Arts Live, the Center for Creative Photography, and the University of Arizona Museum of Art. Together, these units serve more than 1,600 students and attract over 300,000 annual visitors through performances, exhibitions, and community events.
“Hasan brings a strong record of artistic practice and academic leadership,” said Patricia Prelock, Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs. “He understands how the arts can connect research, education, and public engagement in powerful ways. We’re excited for him to help shape the next chapter of Arizona Arts.”
Elahi said the university’s vision of making the arts central to learning, research, and community life drew him to the role.
“Arizona Arts already has momentum, both on campus and in the community,” Elahi said. “I’m excited to support the work already underway and explore new ways to help students, faculty, and artists thrive together.”
Elahi will succeed Andrew Schulz, who has served as Dean since 2018 and will return to the faculty in 2026.