William (Tuck) Willis, Jr., Part 1
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Download Field Notes (127 KB)
Description
William (Tuck) Willis, Jr. served as President of the Art Institute of Boston (AIB) from 1977 to 1991. During his tenure, the school earned accreditation from the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD). Tuck followed in the footsteps of his father, William Willis, Sr., continuing a longstanding family legacy with AIB. Both of his parents, Barbara Willis and William Willis, Sr., were alumni of the school and taught there for many years.
In this first interview, Tuck reflects on his background and shares memories of his parents’ involvement with the School of Practical Art (SPA) and the Art Institute of Boston (AIB). He discusses his childhood experiences with SPA, the school’s early years in the 1930s, Roy Davidson’s role in its founding, its multiple relocations, the name change from the School of Practical Art to the Art Institute of Boston and his own journey to becoming Director of Admission.
Notes:
These interviews are part of a series conducted in honor of AIB’s centennial in 2012, marking 100 years since its founding.
The terms “School of Practical Art” (SPA) and “Art Institute of Boston” (AIB) are used interchangeably. The institution was founded as the School of Practical Art in 1912 and renamed the Art Institute of Boston in 1967.
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Interview Date
5-8-2013
Interview Location
Chelsea, MA
Publisher
Lesley University
Keywords
Lesley, Oral History, faculties, presidents, buildings, School of Practical Art, Art Institute of Boston (AIB), Roy Davidson, enrollment, admission
Disciplines
Oral History
Recommended Citation
Pacy, Alyssa, "William (Tuck) Willis, Jr., Part 1" (2013). AIB Leadership and Faculty. 5.
https://digitalcommons.lesley.edu/oral_histories_aib_admin_faculty/5
