Purdue News

December 8, 1997

BCC assistant to lead Kentucky Governor's School for the Arts

A Kentucky native, Walker worked with the school during the past four summers as a senior creative writing faculty member and minority recruiter.

"This has not been an easy decision to make, particularly when I consider all the wonderful opportunities that are on the horizon with the construction of the new Black Cultural Center," said Walker, who will leave Purdue on Dec. 31. "I regret that I will not be around to share those historic moments and that I'll be leaving an energetic and dedicated director, who has put so much effort into the center. But I feel that this decision will allow me to be closer to my children and to fulfill a career objective."

Renee Thomas, director of the BCC, said she is disappointed to lose Walker, who joined Purdue last spring.

"I am saddened that Frank will be leaving Purdue and the BCC," she said. "He has made a remarkable contribution to the center, particularly with the student performing arts ensembles.

"I respect and support his decision, however, to return to Kentucky to be closer to his family. The Governor's School for the Arts is a premier program in art education. This is a tremendous opportunity for him to provide leadership and to share his wealth of experience with this organization."

The Governor's School for the Arts is a summer, residential training program for high school dancers, actors, instrumental and vocal musicians, creative writers and visual artists. It is housed at Bellarmine College in Louisville, Ky. The three-week program provides Kentucky sophomores and juniors a rigorous curriculum allowing them to explore the discipline and freedom of the creative process.

The school is a public/private partnership, created in 1987 by the Kentucky Center for the Arts, the Commonwealth of Kentucky and numerous private supporters. There is no charge to attend. Admission is based on auditions for drama, dance and music students; a portfolio review for visual arts students; and a manuscript review for creative writing students. Faculty members are accomplished, practicing artists, many of whom are college and university professors.

Walker has a bachelor of arts degree in English from the University of Kentucky and an art studio minor. Before coming to Purdue, he was program coordinator of the University of Kentucky's Martin Luther King Jr. Cultural Center for 10 years. Walker is the founder and executive director of the Bluegrass Black Arts Consortium, a member of the Kentucky Arts Council Civil Rights Committee and a founding member of Affrilachian Poets & Message Theatre.

His responsibilities at Purdue included working with the four performing arts ensembles: the Black Voices of Inspiration choir, the New Directional Players drama troupe, the Jahari Dance Troupe, and the Haraka Writers creative writing group. He also coordinated the center's Cultural Arts Series.

CONTACTS: Thomas, (765) 494-3092; e-mail, rathomas@smly-01.hfs.purdue.edu; Walker, (765) 494-3095; e-mail, fxwalker@hfs.purdue.edu

Purdue News Service: (765) 494-2096; e-mail, purduenews@purdue.edu

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