Headliners
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Institute Welcomes New Trustees RODRIGO GARCÍA Rodrigo García is an award-winning writer, director, producer and cinematographer working in feature films, television, and online media. Born in Bogota, Colombia, and raised in Mexico City, he is the son of iconic novelist Gabriel García Márquez (One Hundred Years of Solitude, 1967). García, who has taught workshops in CalArts’ Film Directing Program, is known for his deft touch with women characters. He recently helmed Albert Nobbs (2011), starring Glenn Close and Janet McTeer, who both earned Oscar nominations. Other films include Things You Can Tell Just by Looking at Her (1999), which received the Un Certain Regard Award at Cannes, and Nine Lives (2005). The Los Angeles resident garnered an Emmy nom for directing the pilot of hbo’s Big Love, and was the showrunner of the half-hour drama In Treatment, also on hbo. Among his other directing credits are Six Feet Under and The Sopranos. García is also vice president of the Board of Directors of Film Independent. “I really admire CalArts, and I’ve always been impressed with the level of insight of the students when I have taught there,” says García, who holds a ba from Harvard and an ma from afi. “As trustee, it’ll be fascinating to participate in the way major art schools will, in my opinion, have to redefine themselves, now that the concept of discreet artistic disciplines is blurring. So much art is interdisciplinary—how do we help form those artists?” Upon joining the board, García established an annual scholarship in honor of his parents. The Mercedes and Gabriel García Márquez Scholarship will support talented CalArts undergraduates of Latino heritage. García is making this gift with his brother, graphic designer and artist Gonzalo García.
JILL KRAUS A native of Wyncote, Pennsylvania, Jill Kraus earned a bfa degree from Carnegie Mellon University, and an mfa from the Rhode Island School of Design (risd). Over the course of her 20-year career she worked as designer and design director for companies such as Monet, Swank and Marvella. Kraus lived and worked in Japan for a number of years, consulting with American companies that manufactured products there. Upon her return to the United States she was vice president–design for Swarovski and director of design at Avon Products. Kraus’ son Jason is a 2008 graduate of CalArts’ School of Art. “My son had an extraordinary education at CalArts,” says Kraus. “Its emphasis on the conceptual framework for contemporary arts practice makes it a unique educational environment.” Of her recent election to CalArts’ Board of Trustees, she says, “I’m excited to be on the governing board that will help define how CalArts continues to move into the 21st century.” Kraus’ other board affiliations include The Museum of Modern Art (moma), where she serves on the Executive Committee and chairs the Media and Performance Committee. Kraus was recently elected board chair of Public Art Fund, and she serves on the boards of the New Museum and the Worldstudio Foundation, which awards scholarships to minority students and socially responsible artists. For more than a decade, Kraus served on the Carnegie Mellon University board, where she chaired the Advancement Committee.
MICHAEL NOCK Chairman and managing director of Michael Nock & Associates—a Hong Kong-based company he established in 2009—Michael Nock was born and raised in Sydney, Australia. While always interested in the arts, he earned a Bachelor of Commerce Degree in Accounting and Finance at the University of New South Wales, and began his career as a stockbroker and financial analyst. In an unusual interlude, in 1990, Nock decided to pursue his passion for the arts, and he and his wife moved to Los Angeles. He spent the next five years earning bfa and mfa degrees from CalArts’ Program in Experimental Animation, under the mentorship of program founder Jules Engel, who became a close personal friend. “I loved the school from day one,” says Nock. “The campus was wonderful. However, during my time at CalArts an earthquake damaged the building so badly that we required temporary premises while repairs were made. Not only was CalArts very organized and resourceful, but the whole event became something of an adventure.” Nock managed to start three companies while studying at CalArts, and following graduation, moved back to Hong Kong and returned to finance as an asset manager. He later established the Doric Group of companies, which advised and managed a number of funds. While maintaining a presence in asset management, Nock now devotes most of his time to philanthropy and the arts—and still paints two days a week.
ABOVE FROM LEFT CalArts’ newest trustees are writer-director Rodrigo García, design director Jill Kraus, and investment advisor, philanthropist and artist Michael Nock.