UCLA Arts Newsletter

Earlier this fall, Professor David Roussève, who served as Interim Dean of the School of the Arts and Architecture from 2015–17, sat down to welcome Brett Steele into his new role as dean and discuss his views on the future. Their conversation, in abridged form below, touches on many topics including Los Angeles, public education, the importance of dialogue and experimentation, why slowness and small rooms are important, the role of the artist, the importance of envisioning the future, and much more.

David Roussève: I am thrilled that you're here with us, Brett, bringing with you a different perspective and a different background to move the School of the Arts and Architecture forward.

Brett Steele: Thank you, David. I'm as thrilled to be here. I genuinely am.

David: Let’s start with Los Angeles. Although you were born here in the States, you’ve been in London for quite some time. I don’t know about you, but for me—coming from Texas by way of the east coast—it took quite a while to get a sense of Los Angeles. Do you have any thoughts on LA as your new home, as the home of our school? On the cultural scene here?

Brett: I'm struck most, I suppose right now, by the—it's going to sound odd—but by the shocking similarity between London and Los Angeles.

David: Interesting. How so?

 

 

 

 

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