Why I Am Running for the Board of Directors

Art precedes us across national boundaries and always has the best intentions. I come from a background that believes in the “citizen artist”— a belief in art’s ability to cross cultural boundaries and directly communicate with people. As a citizen artist, I acknowledge my responsibility to self and others to do good. I recognize my work in the studio is not separate from the culture I live in, the politics I negotiate, and the society we build together.

I have long been dedicated to nonprofit work, seeing my past board involvement as a symbiotic act where I can give back what I have amassed over a 35-year career, while continuing to learn from others. My work has taken me around the world, where I’ve represented institutions and cities in discussions with governments, corporations, and NGOs. These experiences have reinforced my belief in the importance of cultural exchange and international collaboration, especially through platforms like Sister Cities.

Bio

Paul Coffey, a practicing artist, currently serves as the Director of the Glassell School of Art at the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston. In this role, he has launched several civic engagement initiatives that have garnered support for the community and increased recognition for the institution.

Before joining the MFAH, he was Vice Provost and Dean of Community Engagement at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago (SAIC), where he created The Office of Engagement, a department at the school which built local, national and global art and design partnerships. At SAIC, he created sponsored research studios that led early R&D for Samsung, Motorola, and CB2. Coffey was responsible for the school’s expansion into Chicago’s underserved community of North Lawndale, where he co-authored a myriad of civic engagement projects with the community.

Additionally, Coffey spearheaded the successful launch of the Low Residency MFA, Master of Architecture, and Master of Arts in Visual and Critical Studies programs. His connection to the arts extended to the 2018 Venice Architecture Biennale, where he served as the U.S. Pavilion Director for the exhibition Dimensions of Citizenship.

While in Chicago, he received a grant from the Chicago Artist International Program through Sister Cities at the Office of Cultural Affairs to represent the city of Chicago in Rome, Italy. Coffey’s extensive journey through the realms of academia and artistic engagement showcases his significant contributions to the field.