Executive Dean The New School, Parsons School of Design | New York, New York We are pleased to announce that the New School has selected Anne Gaines to serve as the next Executive Dean of Parsons School of Design, effective August 2025. A talented scholar and respected professor with extensive and thoughtful work in pedagogy, cultural critique, and multidisciplinary artistic practices, Gaines has taken on many leadership roles over more than two decades at Parsons. Her successive leadership roles include Interim Dean of the School of Fashion, 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.Gaines joined the Parsons faculty in 2000 and currently serves as Associate Professor of Contemporary Art Practice. She has taught design and studio arts at all levels— from pre-college and first year through graduate studies and continuing education programming—and has brought a consistent focus on academic excellence and successful student outcomes to her work. As a studio practitioner, educator, and Parsons alumna, Anne reflects through her experience Parsons’ broad perspective on what it means to be an artist. Anne has a long time focus on the role of community and culture in a large urban center like New York City. She earned her MFA from Parsons and her BFA from the Memphis College of Art.You can read the full press release here.Ben Tobin led this search with Becky Piper, Quizayra Gonzalez, and Alaine Small.
