Joint interim director chosen for Ringling

By MARY ANN MARGER

© St. Petersburg Times, published June 28, 2000

Arland F. "Chris" Christ-Janer was named to joint appointments as interim director of the FSU Ringling Center for the Cultural Arts and the John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art, in an announcement Tuesday by Florida State University provost Lawrence G. Abele.

The longtime Sarasota leader assumes the post Saturday, the day the extensive museum complex comes under the control of FSU.

Christ-Janer, 78, comes out of retirement to fill the office left vacant by David Ebitz, whose resignation becomes effective on that date. Ebitz has accepted a teaching position at Pennsylvania State University.

Christ-Janer was president of the Ringling School of Art and Design in Sarasota from 1984 to 1995 when he retired. During his tenure, he oversaw an extensive expansion in enrollment, campus and faculty, and facilitated a collaboration between the school and the museum, which previously had shared only a name. He also has served on the museum's board. From 1973 to 1975 he was president of New College, Sarasota, and helped in its merger with the University of South Florida.

He also has been president of Stephens College (Missouri), Boston University, Cornell College (Iowa) and the College Entrance Examination Board. He has supported the Tallahassee-based university's joining forces with the museum. "Working collaboratively, they can do more than any one entity can do. The whole is greater than the sum of its parts," he said.

The Ringling complex includes the Museum of the Circus and Ca d'Zan (the Ringling residence) as well as the state's official art museum.

Christ-Janer also will head the FSU Center for the Fine and Performing Arts, which comprises the Asolo Theatre and Conservatory and the Sarasota Ballet.

The complex has been directed by FSU to offer art, art history and museum management. Formating a search committee to find a permanent director will be a priority of the new board and FSU.

- Information from the Associated Press was used in this report.