President Steven D. Lavine is pleased to announce that Elizabeth Power Robison has been appointed Vice President of Advancement at California Institute of the Arts. After a six-month nationwide search, Ms. Robison was selected to oversee all aspects of CalArts’ fundraising and alumni relations and will begin her duties on March 2.

Elizabeth Power Robison

“I very much look forward to working with Elizabeth,” Lavine said. “We interviewed qualified candidates from across the country, but her exceptional abilities in fundraising and her passion for both the arts and education set her apart from others in the field. She has a deep understanding of the integral and complex role fundraising plays in program planning and the setting of strategic priorities–and brings us the unique skillset needed to carry CalArts forward.”

“With her impressive track record in fundraising and creative approach to advancement initiatives, Elizabeth will be a tremendous asset to the CalArts community,” said Tim Disney, Chairman of CalArts’ Board of Trustees. “She brings wide-ranging experience in building strong relations with alumni and donors and has demonstrated her expertise in the arts with highly successful campaigns in her previous position at Whittier College. We welcome her energy and innovative ideas on behalf of the Institute.”

Before accepting the position at CalArts, Ms. Robison served for eight years as Vice President for Advancement and Strategic Initiatives at Whittier College in Whittier, California. During her tenure, Ms. Robison was instrumental in shaping two significant arts initiatives, the Center for Collaboration with the Arts and the Los Angeles Integrated Arts Program, and worked closely with Theater Department faculty, and other stakeholders, to bring the initiatives to fruition. While at Whittier, she increased unrestricted giving by 98%, contributed $1.8 million to operations annually, and raised alumni participation by 33%. Prior to her term at Whittier, she held senior advancement positions at Keck Graduate Institute, Occidental College and Brandeis University, among other institutions.

CalArts is a renowned school of the arts offering rigorous undergraduate and graduate degree programs through six schools–Art, Critical Studies, Dance, Film/Video, Music, and Theater.

As Vice President of Advancement, Ms. Robison will be responsible for developing, directing, and executing a comprehensive advancement program consistent with the Institute’s mission to foster a learning environment founded on artmaking excellence, creative experimentation, critical reflection and the diversity of voices. As a key member of the senior staff and a member of the President’s Planning Group, she will play a critical role in the future strategy and direction of CalArts.