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A $1 MILLION GIFT from Janet L. and George E. Handt-mann to the USC School of Fine Arts will support new artistic genres emerging from the interaction of new technologies and the visual arts.Specifically, the gift will be used to enhance facilities in the school’s photographystudio and to acquire digital equipment that will further integrate the school’s photography and Matrix digital imaging programs.
It will also establish the Handtmann Prize, an annual juried photographic competition open to all undergraduates who are majoring or minoring in fine arts.
“As the largest donation in the school’s 104-year history, the Handtmann gift is vital to our long-range plans and to our exciting programs in photography and digital media,” said Dean of Fine Arts Ruth Weisberg.
“It will feed our growing reputation in new genres,” she added. “The integration of traditional techniques and cutting-edge developments will enable our graduates to launch successful careers and to significantly influence cultural expression.”
JANET HANDTMANN, herself an alumna in fine arts and a former student of Weisberg’s, concurred: “The goal is to educate artists to compete in the world of fine arts or the fast-moving world of commercial digital imagery – artists who are grounded in the fundamentals of art, photography and design but who also have a deep understanding of the new media technologies.”
Janet Handtmann earned her bachelor of fine arts degree from USC in 1974. One of Weisberg’s former students, she is an accomplished photographer and equestrienne. She serves on the Board of Councilors of the School of Fine Arts.
George Handtmann, executive managing director of Provident Investment Counsel, earned a bachelor’s degree in journalism and an MBA degree from USC in 1974 and 1976, respectively. His sits on the board of United Asset Management. He has served on the board of directors of USC Associates and USC’s undergraduate admissions and financial aid committee. He is currently a member of USC’s Building on Excellence executive committee and a guest lecturer in the graduate program of USC’s Marshall School of Business.
THE HANDTMANNS, BOTH MEMBERS of USC Presidential Associates, gave $500,000 to USC’s Neighborhood Resource Center in 1993. The center was considered a valuable resource to Los Angeles following the city’s civil unrest in 1992, which resulted from the verdict in the Rodney King case.
The couple also made that donation to help spur student involvement in the community and bring social services to central Los Angeles. Their gift stemmed from USC President Steven B. Sample’s priority of aiding and encouraging the economic revitalization of the neighborhood around the campus, launched in 1992. The center provided ample opportunities for student volunteer work, a tradition that has grown significantly since the Handtmanns funded the center.
“It’s been wonderful for the school to have such thoughtful friends,” said Weisberg.
“Jan and George have taken the time and care to understand where they can make a contribution to best serve thestudents and the school. They have been involved every step of the way.”
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