New Development Director Appointed For U Of A Fulbright College

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. - James E. Mitchell has been appointed director of development for the University of Arkansas’ J. William Fulbright College of Arts and Sciences. Mitchell will be leaving his position as executive director of the Arkansas Arts Council to join the University on March 13.

"Jim Mitchell brings a depth of experience in fund raising, marketing and strategic planning," said Randall Woods, interim dean for Fulbright College. "I look forward to working with him and am confident he will do a superb job for Fulbright College."

Clay Edwards, UA assistant vice chancellor for development, said, "We are very pleased to add someone with Jim’s experience in management and development to our team. He comes to us from a very successful career in arts management, marketing and development as well as private industry."

Mitchell said, "I am thrilled to have this opportunity to serve the University in a fund-raising capacity. This job also will give me the chance to help the University play a leadership role in arts and sciences throughout the state as well as support Fulbright College’s key international initiatives."

Mitchell joined the Arkansas Arts Council in 1995. During his tenure he developed six new grant programs and created the first private solicitation program for the council for new education, individual artist and touring programs. He increased programs and services by 50 percent and reduced overhead to 17 percent. He currently serves as vice chairman of the Mid-America Arts Alliance and last year was elected to the board of directors of the National Assembly of State Arts Agencies.

Prior to joining the Arts Council, Mitchell worked in the mortgage banking industry for four years originating residential mortgage loans.

He graduated in 1976 with a B.A. degree in economics and business administration and a teacher’s certification in economics from Rhodes College in Memphis. He worked for the college admissions office after graduation.

In 1978, he reorganized the Concerts International chamber music series by securing a three-year private foundation grant. He was responsible for program planning, meeting earned and contributed income goals and board development. Simultaneously he was the first marketing and development director for the Memphis Arts Council, creating the first comprehensive individual donor campaign for the united arts fund and managing a countywide touring artist showcase. He participated in major corporate solicitation and produced the council’s first two major fund raisers — Baryshnikov and Friends and the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra with Zubin Metha — resulting in a net income of over $150,000.

In 1982, Mitchell enrolled in a dual-degree graduate program in arts administration at Southern Methodist University where he earned an M.A. degree in arts administration from the Meadows School for the Arts and an M.B.A. degree from the Cox School of Business. After graduating, he worked as a marketing and development consultant for Stage #1 Theater. He coordinated the theater’s first professional annual giving and major gifts program and succeeded in reducing a five-year accumulated deficit by 51 percent in one year.

In addition, Mitchell has worked in marketing and fund raising for the San Antonio Symphony, the Austin Lyric Opera, the Colorado Springs Symphony and the Arkansas Symphony Orchestra.