Oral History Interview with Roger Mandle, April 1, 2008

Authors

Roger Mandle, Rhode Island School of Design, President Emeritus (1993-2008)
Ann Hudner, Rhode Island School of Design
RISD Archives, Rhode Island School of DesignFollow
Josh Backer
Jack Lenk

Files

Description

Interview of Roger Mandle conducted by Ann Hudner at the President's House at 132 Bowen Street in Providence, RI on April 1, 2008. Mandle speaks of his experiences before becoming the president of the Rhode Island School of Design such as attending New York University and working as deputy director at the National Gallery and director of the Toledo Museum of Art. Mandle also recalls working with the Board of Trustees, department heads, deans, and students at RISD and the connection the school had to the city of Providence. Along with this, Mandle discusses the changes that were made at RISD during his presidency like the capital campaign, the creation of the Chace Center and the Fleet Library, and the formation of the HELP coalition.

Biographical/Historical Note

Roger Mandle (1941-2020) was a museum administrator, curator, art historian, and college president who served as president of RISD between 1993-2008. During this time, Mandle oversaw the addition of the Chace Center to the RISD Museum, providing additional gallery space for the museum and college and studio classrooms for Foundation Studies. Mandle was the deputy director and chief curator of the National Gallery of Art, Washington, D.C., between 1998-1993, a member of the National Council on the Arts under Presidents Ronald Reagan and George Bush, and executive director and chief officer of museums at the Qatar Museums Authority.

Mandle is interviewed by Ann Hudner, RISD’s director of external affairs, on April 1, 2008. Produced by Andrew Martinez. Videography by Josh Backer and Jack Lenk.

Recommended Citation

Mandle, Roger; Hudner, Ann; Archives, RISD; Backer, Josh; and Lenk, Jack, "Oral History Interview with Roger Mandle, April 1, 2008" (2008). RISD Oral History Project. 9.
https://digitalcommons.risd.edu/archives_oralhistories/9