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Glorya Kaufman makes History
“The historic Dance Building is part of the original set of quadrangles
on the campus and has a pivotal location that meets the greater community,” explained Yudell, who as principal in charge, will complete the design in collaboration with partner John Ruble and senior associate and project director Neal Matsuno. Yudell wants to bring new vitality and technology while respecting a richly detailed historic building, he said, and make a place where both traditional and experimental work can graciously coexist. “At the core of this project is the seeming contradiction that the dynamic, experimental, and diverse World Arts and Cultures program will inhabit this historic, traditional building. This duality enriches and brings energy to the whole endeavor.”

“Video is something that’s important in our department,” Waterman said.“Faculty member John Bishop works with young choreographers who use videotapes as part of their professional resumés when they go out to find
work or get grants. He works with young scholars who use video in the field when they study art and performance in different cultures. Video runs through every part of the department, but we haven’t had the facilities for it.

“Now we’re going to have a building completely wired, ready for the digital age. We’ll have a video laboratory with editing stations that are cabled into the theaters and different parts of the building. Suddenly, you can teach and do research and artistic work in ways that you couldn’t before. These resources will make a huge difference.”

Since the inception of the department, the Ford Foundation, Rockefeller Foundation, and The Pew Charitable Trusts have recognized several of the forward-looking programs of WAC’s Center for Intercultural Performance by means of significant grants. Now an individual has generously given from her heart to honor everyone in the department. Kaufman, whose first contribution to UCLA was a $20 check to the UCLA Annual Fund in 1976, says that the rewards she realizes from giving are, in turn, especially meaningful to her.

“The more I do this, the more I realize how much I get back from community work,” she said. “I do the project not expecting anything in return, but the rewards are always surprising, wonderful, and beautiful.”

Left to right: architects Neal Matsuno and John Ruble, UCLA chancellor Albert Carnesale, Glorya Kaufman, Daniel Neuman, dean, School of the Arts and Architecture, Christopher Waterman, chair, Department of World Arts and Cultures at the Nov. 15 gift announcement event.