Jeff Beekman took over as director of the University of Arizona School of Art on July 1, 2026, bringing nationally recognized leadership as the school nears its centennial in 2027. He came to the U of A from Florida State University, where he chaired the Department of Art since 2023 and held other roles since 2013, including associate chair and director of Foundations and BA programs. As a community steward, Beekman received an Emerging Arts Administrators Fellowship by the National Council of Arts Administrators in 2023, in addition to being named a Leadership Award finalist at FSU for “those who have made a significant impact on the Tallahassee community.”