Rubén Graciani is an accomplished leader in higher education and the arts, currently serving as Dean of the College of Visual and Performing Arts at James Madison University (JMU). With a career spanning over two decades, Graciani has distinguished himself as a transformative administrator, award-winning choreographer, and dedicated educator.

At JMU, Graciani oversees a dynamic college comprising three schools—Art, Design and Art History; Music; and Theatre and Dance—alongside multiple galleries, institutes, and performance venues. Under his leadership, the college has seen significant growth in faculty research engagement, strategic planning, and faculty- and staff-focused initiatives. He spearheaded a college-wide strategic planning process, launched an innovative Integrative Arts cohort hire, developed the Office of Creative Propulsion, and led efforts that resulted in a 340% increase in grant applications. His fundraising efforts have generated significant gains for all areas in the college, more than doubling the college’s scholarship endowment and expanding opportunities for students and faculty alike.

Graciani’s commitment to faculty and staff success is evident in his creation of the Equity Workload Working Group, which developed new policies to ensure fair and transparent faculty workloads. He has also championed innovative curriculum development though the Curriculum Innovation Working Group. His leadership extends beyond the college, serving on numerous university-wide committees, including the Provost’s Academic Council, Faculty Handbook Revision Committee, Core Curriculum Committee, and the Honorary Degree Committee.

Before his tenure at JMU, Graciani held key leadership roles at Point Park University and Skidmore College, where he led comprehensive curriculum revisions, strategic planning processes, and national accreditation efforts. At Point Park, he chaired the Department of Dance—one of the largest programs of its kind in the country—and served as Associate Artistic Director of the Pittsburgh Playhouse, overseeing the programming of 18 annual productions. His leadership was instrumental in hosting the National High School Dance Festival, welcoming over 1,500 participants from around the world.

Graciani’s artistic career is equally distinguished. A graduate of the North Carolina School of the Arts and SUNY Purchase, he performed with renowned companies including the Mark Morris Dance Group, Joe Goode Performance Group, and Company Stefanie Batten Bland. His choreography has been commissioned and presented nationally and internationally, with recent premieres at Carnegie Hall, DanceWorks Chicago, and the Reina Sofía Museum in Madrid, Spain. His work has been praised for its musicality, emotional depth, and inventive structure, earning accolades such as the Audience Favorite Award at the DanceNow Joe’s Pub Festival.

As Artistic Director of RG Dance Projects, Graciani has cultivated interdisciplinary collaborations with musicians, composers, and visual artists. The company has performed at prestigious venues and festivals including the Martha Graham Contemporary Dance Theater, CoolNY Festival, and Saratoga ArtsFest.

Graciani holds a Master of Fine Arts in Choreography and Performance from the University of Maryland – College Park. He continues to advocate for the arts as a member of national organizations such as the International Council of Fine Arts Deans and the National Association of Schools of Dance, where he has served on accreditation commissions and as a visiting evaluator.

Through his dual commitment to artistic excellence and institutional transformation, Rubén Graciani exemplifies the power of creative leadership in shaping the future of the arts in higher education.