ATHENS, Ohio -- Six Ohio University professors were recently selected as recipients of the first College of Fine Arts Creative Research Awards.

The awards, which were announced by Dean Raymond Tymas-Jones, recognized the following College of Fine Arts faculty for their outstanding creative research proposals: Roger Braun, assistant professor, School of Music; Charles Buchanan, assistant professor, School of Interdisciplinary Arts; Rajko Grlic, Ohio Eminent Scholar, School of Film; Vladimir Marchenkov, assistant professor, School of Interdisciplinary Arts; Kim Neal Nofsinger, assistant professor, School of Dance; and Thomas Patin, associate professor, School of Art.

The College of Fine Arts Creative Research Awards are awarded on a competitive basis in order to stimulate and encourage creative and scholarly research in the arts. Awards are based on projects that will involve such actions as the creation of new arts; the interpretation, analysis, history and criticism of the arts; pedagogical studies with art participants; and the development of new art forms or new performances and exhibitions.

"We are delighted to inaugurate this premiere College of Fine Arts award with these projects of merit, representing an unusually high level of innovation and creativity," said Tymas-Jones. "We are very encouraged by the tremendous response we have had to this award and look forward to future vital arts projects such as these."

The 2003 College of Fine Arts Creative Research Award recipients:

• Roger Braun: "International Performances with World Renowned Marimbist, Keiko Abe"
• Charles Buchanan: "The Illustrated Manuscript as Partisan Implement during the Gregorian Reform"
• Rajko Grlic: "Face to Face: The Photography of Lloyd Moore"
• Vladimir Marchenkov: to study ancient Greek vase painting
• Kim Neal Nofsinger: "First Shadows: Minnesota Fringe Festival Participation 2003"
• Thomas Patin: "Vignettes of America: National Parks, Distant Views, and Environmental Politics"

The Ohio University College of Fine Arts, founded in 1936, comprises six professional schools: Art, Dance, Film, Interdisciplinary Arts, Music and Theater. Research units include the Kennedy Museum of Art and the Creativity Through Technology Initiative. Programs in art, music and theater date to the late 19th century, while programs in interdisciplinary arts, dance and film were added in the 1960s and 1970s. The college offers 21 courses of study leading to Bachelor of Fine Arts and Bachelor of Music degrees, as well as 20 Master of Arts or Master of Fine Arts degree programs. A doctoral degree is available in the School of Interdisciplinary Arts. Minors are offered in all six schools. For more information go to: www.ohiou.edu/finearts