Mark Rabideau, known as leader in arts education and creative entrepreneurship, is named Associate Dean for Academic and Faculty Affairs at CU Denver’s College of Arts & Media (CAM). This dynamic position is charged with advancing academic activity within a college that is internationally recognized for its exclusive devotion to arts and entertainment, and the influence of modern trends on contemporary and traditional art forms.

“CAM welcomes the type of leadership Mark Rabideau will bring to CU Denver,” says Laurence Kaptain, Dean of CAM. “His proven proficiency in training young creatives and groundbreakers to thrive in an ever-changing creative and cultural landscape well-fits CAM’s dedication to educating creative leaders.”

Associate Dean Rabideau brings tremendous experience in visionary arts education to his new position, drawing from over 20 years as a tenured faculty member, musician, and imaginative administrator. Rabideau comes to Denver from his role as Director of the 21st Century Music Initiative at DePauw University, where his national reach has included serving as publisher/editor of 21CM.org and the author of The 21CM Introduction to Music Entrepreneurship – recipient of the 2018 Society for Arts Entrepreneurship Educators’ Innovative Arts Entrepreneurship Pedagogy award. He is a renowned arts advocate, recently delivering talks at Curtis, Yale, Cornell, American College in Greece, The Civic Orchestra of Chicago, and American University in Cairo (where he was named Distinguished Visiting Researcher) and is President-Elect for the College Music Society.  

"The fundamental charge of the 21st century university is to prepare the next generation to make the world a better place,” says Rabideau.  “Those within the creative industries must play a central role in reimagining our shared, most promising future.”

Rabideau’s role as Associate Dean for Academic and Faculty Affairs drives the academic direction of a college that continually trail blazes contemporary arts education. CAM is home to three departments– Film & Television, Music & Entertainment Industry Studies, and Visual Arts– and its unique programs, such as Music Business, Illustration, and 3D Graphics & Animation, are nationally recognized. Rabideau’s leadership will advance the academic initiatives of providing students with a skillset to succeed in modern and global creative industries, as he has reputation for forging pathways for ambitious artists, academics, and creators.

“Rabideau is distinctly gifted for a role like this—a champion of great and innovative work and a partner in spirit and in fortitude, Mark’s engine for good never wanes,” says Tayloe Harding, Dean of the School of Music at the University of South Carolina. “His colleagues will soon know what all of the rest of us who work with him on national, global issues of arts impact on societies know—that there are few individuals with as much capacity for compassion and for creativity than he.”

Rabideau begins his position at CU Denver on July 1, 2020. His role compliments Associate Dean for Research, Collaboration, and Innovation, Laurie Baefsky.

“The College of Arts & Media is brimming with creativity, imagination, and a collaborative, entrepreneurial spirit that feels limitless in the ways in which CAM's students, faculty, and staff can serve CU-Denver's vision, mission, and values,” says Rabideau. “And I can’t wait to be a part of it all.”