Learn About Us
Preparing 21st century artists to live and create.
The School of the Arts serves as a vibrant urban hub for the study, practice, and
integration of the arts. The School cultivates new models of interdisciplinary innovation,
entrepreneurial initiative, and collaborative community engagement in order to prepare
artists, and all students to thrive in a diverse world.
We are distinctive, nimble and responsive.
We are dedicated to the craftsmanship of our artistic processes through discipline and a strong work ethic. Our shared values are built upon participatory and inclusive collaboration. We strive to build a community that is connected, takes initiative, strives for excellence and isn’t afraid to fail. We are curious and eager to explore new areas of inquiry and innovation, and we are actively committed to social justice, diversity and empowerment.
Academic Leadership
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Leslie Durham
Dean, College of Arts and Sciences
PhD — University of Kansas
In 2021 Dr. Leslie Durham was named dean in the College of Arts and Sciences, having previously served as associate dean of arts and humanities since 2012. She still continues to teach theatre history and dramaturgy for the Theatre Arts Department.
Durham joined the Boise State faculty in 2001 after earning her Ph.D. at the University of Kansas. An expert in theatre history, women in theatre and dramaturgy, Durham has three books and nearly three dozen journal articles and professional presentations to her credit. She is a member of the Boise State Arts and Humanities Institute advisory board and currently serves as the Boise State liaison to Trey McIntyre Project, Ballet Idaho and the Idaho Shakespeare Festival. Durham fulfilled the role of associate dean in an acting or interim capacity since fall 2010.
PhD — University of Kansas
In 2021 Dr. Leslie Durham was named dean in the College of Arts and Sciences, having previously served as associate dean of arts and humanities since 2012. She still continues to teach theatre history and dramaturgy for the Theatre Arts Department.
Durham joined the Boise State faculty in 2001 after earning her Ph.D. at the University of Kansas. An expert in theatre history, women in theatre and dramaturgy, Durham has three books and nearly three dozen journal articles and professional presentations to her credit. She is a member of the Boise State Arts and Humanities Institute advisory board and currently serves as the Boise State liaison to Trey McIntyre Project, Ballet Idaho and the Idaho Shakespeare Festival. Durham fulfilled the role of associate dean in an acting or interim capacity since fall 2010.
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Amanda Ashley
Director of the School of the Arts, Professor in the School of Public Service
PhD — City and Regional Planning from the Weitzman School of Design, University of Pennsylvania
MURP — Urban and Regional Planning from the Hubert H. Humphrey School of Public Affairs, University of MinnesotaDr. Amanda Ashley is a Professor of Urban Studies and Community Development at Boise State University with appointments in the School of Public Service and the School of the Arts in the College of Arts and Sciences. Her interdisciplinary research focuses on the role of placemaking and place belonging in cities and communities. Her recent work focuses on diversity, equity, and inclusion in arts and cultural planning, on the role of higher education institutions as arts and cultural anchors, and on the emergence of creative city policies and governance. Her work has been supported by the National Endowment for the Arts, and she has receive the Larry Gould Best Article award and New Scholar Award from the Western Social Science Association. She is a Boise Department of Arts and History Commissioner, and she sits on the Garden City Placemaking Planning Group. Please visit Scholarworks for Dr. Ashley’s CV.
PhD — City and Regional Planning from the Weitzman School of Design, University of Pennsylvania
MURP — Urban and Regional Planning from the Hubert H. Humphrey School of Public Affairs, University of MinnesotaDr. Amanda Ashley is a Professor of Urban Studies and Community Development at Boise State University with appointments in the School of Public Service and the School of the Arts in the College of Arts and Sciences. Her interdisciplinary research focuses on the role of placemaking and place belonging in cities and communities. Her recent work focuses on diversity, equity, and inclusion in arts and cultural planning, on the role of higher education institutions as arts and cultural anchors, and on the emergence of creative city policies and governance. Her work has been supported by the National Endowment for the Arts, and she has receive the Larry Gould Best Article award and New Scholar Award from the Western Social Science Association. She is a Boise Department of Arts and History Commissioner, and she sits on the Garden City Placemaking Planning Group. Please visit Scholarworks for Dr. Ashley’s CV.
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Dan Scott
Interim Chair, Department of Art, Design and Visual Studies
MFA — Painting, New York Academy of Art
BFA — Drawing and Ceramics, Boise State UniversityMFA — Painting, New York Academy of Art
BFA — Drawing and Ceramics, Boise State University -
Linda Kline
Chair, Department of Music
DMA — Viola Performance, University of Memphis
MM — Viola Performance, Cleveland Institute of Music
BM — Viola Performance, Northwestern UniversityDMA — Viola Performance, University of Memphis
MM — Viola Performance, Cleveland Institute of Music
BM — Viola Performance, Northwestern University -
Richard Klautsch
Chair, Department of Theatre, Film and Creative Writing
PhD — Wayne State University
MFA — Wayne State UniversityPhD — Wayne State University
MFA — Wayne State University -
Lisa Moore Hunt
Interim Director, Keith and Catherine Stein Luminary and Visiting Assistant Professor, School of the Arts
PhD — Art History and Archaeology, University of Missouri-Columbia
MA — Art History and Archaeology, University of Missouri-Columbia
BA — Art History and Museum Studies, Rhodes CollegePhD — Art History and Archaeology, University of Missouri-Columbia
MA — Art History and Archaeology, University of Missouri-Columbia
BA — Art History and Museum Studies, Rhodes College