March 10, 2004

UC San Diego Announces The Appointment of Martin Wollesen,
Director Of The University Events Office, A Unit Of Student Affairs

By Patricia Quill


A new year and a new beginning mark the arrival of Martin Wollesen, who was recently appointed to the directorship of the UC San Diego University Events Office. A unit of Student Affairs, the UEO is responsible for a vast array of cultural and community programming that serves to enhance the quality of campus life by developing opportunities for creative expression and artistic discovery through the performing and cultural arts. Martin (Marty) Wollesen comes to UC San Diego from Stanford University, where he served as Director of Education and Associate Director of Programming with Stanford Lively Arts.

A primary program of the University Events Office is the popular season of performing arts that presents artists of national and international renown in dance and music to the campus and San Diego communities. Established and emerging artists in the 2003-04 season include Twyla Tharp Dance, Joshua Redman, Cesaria Evora, Takács Quartet, Tokyo String Quartet, Urban Bush Women, BeauSoleil, Drummers of West Africa and the St. Lawrence String Quartet.

“UC San Diego has built a strong foundation with the performing arts programming”, says Director Wollesen. “We have recently been recognized by the San Diego Union Tribune for presenting two of the top ten dance presentations of 2003 that included the San Diego and Los Angeles performing arts. In the arts, I believe it is our work to create experiences that allow audiences to feel, think, and be more fully human in relation to the world around us. With that in mind, we will be looking forward to expanding not only the depth and breadth of our curating, but also the education and outreach opportunities both on and off campus. Through master classes, lecture/demonstrations, workshops and informal discussions with some of the most creative innovators of our day the UEO will be able to provide incredible opportunities for students, staff and faculty to participate in the arts. It is very exciting.”

The UEO is also host to the San Diego International Film Festival, an annual festival that was awarded Best Film Festival of 2003 by the San Diego Reader. Featuring film and video from tomorrow’s master filmmakers, the Film Festival takes place every April. In addition, the UEO produces RIMAC pop/rock concerts, presents “Sneak Previews” films, and oversees the UCSD Ticket Office. “A major component of our work, and a major source of fun for our staff is working with students creating, developing and implementing events and activities on campus,” says Wollesen of the internship and advising opportunities through the UEO.

Martin Wollesen’s professional career has always been devoted to community development and artistic exploration. His recent work at Stanford Lively Arts emphasized both these components, and he was the creative force for developing the university’s most comprehensive arts education program to date, with over 100 activities scheduled per season for K-12 and Stanford students. Wollesen developed campus and community master classes, workshops, student matinees for public schools and programs that helped to provide access for audiences not traditionally participating in the performing arts. Wollesen curated performances that were cross disciplinary and strikingly original, some of which include Osvaldo Golijov’s critically acclaimed “Pasión Según San Marcos” with the Schola Cantorum de Caracas; “They Might Be Giants vs. McSweeneys”; the only presentation of “An Evening with Terry Gross and Ira Glass” of National Public Radio; and a multiple quarter, cross disciplinary campus residency with the Merce Cunningham Dance performance that includes the North American premiere of a work commissioned by Lively Arts.

Prior to Stanford, Wollesen was the Director of Programming for Arts & Lectures at UC Santa Cruz, where he significantly raised the profile of the performing arts season and developed an inaugural fund-raising program to secure corporate and individual donations. During his time at UCSC, Wollesen also initiated an ongoing film series with the Film and Media Department and expanded university outreach efforts to include a large-scale middle school arts education program with Wynton Marsalis and Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra.

Director Wollesen joins a talented and dedicated staff which include: Steve Evans, Production Manager, Mike Garcia, Box Office Manager, Judi Griffith, Business Manager, Kathy Lee, Assistant Director, Fred Smith, Graphic Designer, and Amy Thomas, Program Promotions Manager.

For more information on the University Events Office, browse our web page: http://ueo.ucsd.edu.

Media Contact: Amy Thomas, (858) 822-3199