The Ohio State University Department of Dance welcomes Professor Charles O. Anderson who will join our faculty as department chair on June 1, 2022. Anderson is currently associate chair of the Department of Theatre and Dance at The University of Texas at Austin and Head of the Dance Program. He founded UT Austin’s MFA in Dance and Social Justice. Anderson is a choreographer, educator and EDI consultant for university arts programs investing in anti-racist approaches to arts education and programming. He is also the artistic director of the critically acclaimed afro-contemporary dance-theatre company, Charles O. Anderson/dance theatre X (founded in 2003).

"Anderson will bring energy, experience, and vision to the department at such an exciting time for the arts and Ohio State," says Dean, Arts and Humanities Dana Renga. "He is a celebrated and award winning artist, a nationally recognized administrator, and a deeply committed activist-educator." 

"I am deeply humbled and delighted to be joining you as chair of the Department of Dance at The Ohio State University," says Anderson. "As a long-time admirer of the innovative work and contributions to the field of dance that have originated from The Ohio State University, I’m honored to have been selected to help shepherd the department into the future. And it is not lost on me that I will be the first African American male to hold the rank of full professor and the position of chair in the Department’s illustrious history. I believe in the power of the arts to transform humanity and to make the world a more equitable place. I look forward to working with all of you to ensure that the Department of Dance continues to be a leader in higher education as we train the next generation of artists, activists, scholars, educators, makers and creatives ready to change the world." 

Please join us in welcoming Professor Charles O. Anderson to Columbus!