Taking a cue from top artist-in-residence programs, Biola is one of a select few institutions nationwide with a new educational paradigm incorporating a visionary-in-residence which will bring an individual to campus whom will interact in lively, cross disciplinary conversations. For Biola’s upcoming “Year of the Arts,” the visionary-in-residence initiative honors Roberta Green Ahmanson as the 2011-2012 visionary.

As a writer, designer and philanthropist, who will encourage a new generation of artists, Ahmanson, while in residence, commits to fostering interaction among a variety of constituencies throughout the university. Choosing the theme “Sacred Space,” special courses, retreats, tours and programming that explore this crucial theme are currently being planned. Highlights of the year will include a major art symposium, a design charrette where select students will work with leading architects to design an outdoor chapel for Orange County Rescue Mission’s ranch, a spring break trip to help outsider artist Leonard Knight at his Salvation Mountain site, a major exhibition of British art and the premiere of an original musical piece for chorus and orchestra by composition professor, Dr. Robert Denham.

Time Magazine listed Ahmanson with her husband, Howard Fieldstead Ahmanson, Jr., as two of the 25 Most Influential Evangelicals in America today. Her public activities are focused on deepening awareness and understanding the role of religion and art in public life, the importance of knowing history to understand the present and the vital role the arts play in shaping human experience.

This new initiative offers a new educational paradigm for Christian high schools, colleges, universities, seminaries and forward thinking churches as it encourages interdisciplinary, collaborative approaches to learning. Biola is encouraging the visionaries to come and shake things up in healthy, thoughtful ways.

A full schedule of events will be available in August. Contact Jenna Bartlo, Media Relations Coordinator, for more information at 562.777.4061 or through email at jenna.l.bartlo@biola.edu.