Art Institute President Quits After 8 Months

Russell E. Lewis, president of the Art Institute of Southern California, has resigned after eight months on the job. Although the resignation doesn’t become effective until June 30, according to board President Eugene Auerbach, Lewis already has returned to his home in Grand Rapids, Mich.

He was the school’s fourth president in seven years.

A practicing attorney, Lewis made news last year when he recommended that the institute reject a $15,000 National Endowment for the Arts grant rather than sign the anti-obscenity certification required of all 1990 grantees. The institute was the only arts organization in Orange County to refuse an NEA grant, and one of about a dozen arts institutions nationwide.

Lewis cited personal reasons for his departure, Auerbach said, adding that “it has nothing to do with the operation of the school.” Lewis, who was unavailable for comment, said last year that he had tried to resign earlier but had been persuaded by the board to stay.

Auerbach said the search for Lewis’ successor would begin immediately. Auerbach and board member Nancy Snyder, a former board president, will oversee the school’s day-to-day activities.

The institute, which has about 100 full-time equivalent students, is the only art school in Orange County that awards the bachelor of fine arts degree. Accredited in 1985 by the National Assn. of Schools of Art and Design, the institute has been a candidate for accreditation by the Western Assn. of Schools and Colleges for several years.

Lewis came to the institute in September, 1989, as its vice president for academic affairs. He became president in May after the resignation of William Otton, who held the position for 2 1/2 years.

During the decade before he came to Orange County, Lewis was a teacher and administrator at Kendall College of Art and Design in Grand Rapids.