Jack H. Williamson

Statement

Jack Williamson is an art and design historian, a director of research programs, and a public design arts administrator. He developed the Design Studies program at the
U-M School of Art & Design, and is Executive Director of the State of Michigan's public design arts program, Design Michigan. His ongoing research interests reflect these involvements, and treat the areas of pedagogy, cultural revitalization, and historical scholarship.

His pedagogical research has focused on curriculum reform issues - both at the university level in design and business studies - and at the K-12 level in terms of the cross-curricular application of art & design. He also frequently writes and lectures about human and educational development issues. His research in the area of cultural revitalization has focused on issues of social and ethical responsibility, the uses of art & design in community, institutional, and business revitalization, and methods of citizen participation in public change programs. His scholarly research treats themes in the history of art, design and spirituality, focusing especially on the role of visual systems of meaning in cultural artifacts and systems, and the impact of historical shifts in consciousness on cultural production.