Please join me in extending sincere appreciation to Johannes Goebel, founding director of the Curtis R. Priem Experimental Media and Performing Arts Center (EMPAC), who is retiring effective November 15, 2022.

Mr. Goebel was hired by former President Shirley Ann Jackson in 2001, and he has led EMPAC to become a nationally and internationally recognized center for the arts and technology. Mr. Goebel has led the team of architects, consultants, and engineers to realize the programmatic vision of EMPAC, which bridges human perception, experience, and interaction. Under Mr. Goebel's two-decade tenure, he has built the curatorial, technical, and operational teams; and initiated the artistic and research productions, residencies, and events. EMPAC's internationally renowned program has placed arts and culture at the heart of the Rensselaer campus and across New York's Capital Region. In addition, Mr. Goebel was appointed as a faculty member in the Department of the Arts (HASS) with a joint appointment in the School of Architecture. 

Prior to joining Rensselaer, Mr. Goebel, a respected curator and renowned electronic music composer, established Germany's Institute for Music and Acoustics (IMA) as one of the foremost production and research sites around the world for combining experimental music with digital technology. Mr. Goebel served as the founding director of IMA at the Zentrum für Kunst und Medientechnologie (ZKM) in Karlsruhe. Read a detailed description of Mr. Goebel’s professional career.

To continue with the programmatic vision of EMPAC, Ms. Vic Brooks will continue to serve as associate director for arts, and Professor Jonas Braasch, associate director for research, will serve as the acting director of EMPAC. At the same time, we are conducting a national search for a director of EMPAC.

Let us all thank Johannes for his leadership in creating a nationally and internationally recognized center for the arts and technology. We extend to Johannes and his family best wishes in retirement.