Dr. Wayne P. Lawson
- lawson.12@osu.edu
- Professor
Biography:
Wayne P. Lawson became the fourth executive director of the Ohio Arts Council in May 1978. Under his direction the OAC has become one of the foremost state arts agencies in the nation in terms of funding, both public and private, long-range planning and evaluation, support for individual artists and innovative services to constituents in all arts disciplines.
Lawson has helped stimulate an arts climate in Ohio that gives artists, arts administrators and the public access to the Ohio Arts Council. By encouraging people in the arts to become involved with the distribution of Ohio tax dollars for the arts, to voice their opinions on cultural policy and programming during public meetings held around the state, and by limiting the bureaucratic red tape of the agency, Lawson continues to keep the door to the OAC wide open to all interested individuals and groups. The keys to his administration are accessibility and accountability.
Lawson, who was born in Cleveland, received a BA in Romance languages, an MA in European literature and earned his doctorate in theatre and comparative literature from The Ohio State University in Columbus. He holds a certificate in Spanish literature from the University of Madrid and an honorary doctorate from Rio Grande College in Ohio.
Research Interests:
International projects and programs in Japan, Chile, Argentina, Cuba and Central Europe