The New School is making Anne Gaines’ role at Parsons School of Design more permanent.

Having served as the interim dean of the School of Fashion at Parsons, Gaines has been named the executive dean of Parsons School of Design. The painter and educator grew up in rural Tennessee and earned a BFA from the Memphis College of Art. After relocating to New York City, she first worked in a gallery and set up a studio practice before enrolling at Parsons as an MFA student.

Gaines, who has also worked as associate professor of Contemporary Art Practice, has taken on her new post, which wraps up an international search for Parsons’ new leader. She succeeds Yvonne Watson, who remain at the university in a new role.

Watson has been named vice provost for Global Academic Strategy and Partnerships, a new role in the Office of the Provost. Before her February start date, Watson will be taking a sabbatical this fall. She joined Parsons in 2010, and worked in such capacities as associate dean of Curriculum and Learning, the associate dean of the School of Fashion, Parsons’ dean of Curriculum and Learning, adviser to the Provost’s Office on Curriculum, Parsons’ interim executive dean, and then its executive dean.

Knowledgeable in pedagogy, cultural critique and multidisciplinary artistic practices, Gaines has taught design and studio arts at all levels from pre-college and first year through graduate studies and continuing education programs. Having joined Parsons faculty in 2000, Gaines’ experience includes acting as associate director of Parsons First Year Program, director of Parsons Scholars Program and dean of Parsons School of Art, Media and Technology from 2012 through 2020. 

The role of community and culture in art and in large cities like New York are of interest to Gaines, who previously made educational opportunities available to the local community through her work at the university. Her early scholarship program development work with youth in New York City became the Parsons Scholars Program. She has also served as co-director of the CareLab at the university.

The New School’s president Joel Towers, said, “Anne brings an exceptional record of shaping and leading important innovations for Parsons to this role, and has served throughout her tenure as an innovative and dedicated leader, administrator and mentor to our students, faculty and staff. Her strength as a leader and depth of experience as a scholar, artist and change-maker comes at a crucial moment for Parsons as we continue to advance the extraordinary possibilities of our academic community.”