A "tondo" is a painting in the shape of a circle. It is a Renaissance term that derives from the Italian word rotondo. This ancient and universal symbol of a circle implies the connection of all things and a sense of wholeness or completion.

YOUR SUPPORT MATTERS

The year 2006 was certainly the most amazing in our 110-year history. We were especially honored by our school naming: we are now the Gayle Garner Roski School of Fine Arts. Gayle and Ed Roski's transformative gift will have enormous impact and has already caused us to become that much more ambitious about our objectives and plans. As we advance our goals, we will need your support and involvement for scholarships and world-class programs, such as symposia, exhibitions and publications.

It has been an honor to serve as Dean of the USC Roski School of Fine Arts for the past decade. I have learned both as an artist and as Dean that today's artists are even more global than they were in the past. Whether in the world of museums and galleries or in the domains of information technology, entertainment and e-commerce, we are increasingly international. This global purview creates a huge demand for creativity, art expertise and effective visual communication.

Our school has undergone tremendous growth and I eagerly look forward to what the future holds. It is my firm belief that the combined advantages we offer our students, including small classes, remarkable faculty mentors, the dynamic and personalized learning environment of a major private university, and our location in Los Angeles--the world's foremost media, entertainment and cultural center--make the USC Roski School of Fine Arts truly exceptional among fine arts schools nationwide.

Our approach to education in the arts is to marry a rigorous foundation program--based on traditional skill acquisition, problem solving and critical thinking--to an exploration of the latest digital technology. The variety of careers present in Southern California is staggering and includes many fields that didn't exist five years ago. Consequently, through internships and professional opportunities, our students truly have a competitive edge in today's job market.

Studying art at a world-class research university offers opportunities to explore new intersections and expand the traditional boundaries between painting, sculpture, design, photography and numerous other disciplines. We encourage the integration of art with programs of study across campus, offering courses and collaborations with other schools including Architecture; Policy, Planning and Development; Cinematic Arts; Annenberg School for Communication; and Viterbi School of Engineering. In an increasingly visual culture, our mission gains importance as we foster the creative talents of the next generation.

All of this would not be possible without the ongoing involvement of generous and dedicated friends and alumni. We are deeply indebted to those who have given their support over the years, helping to make a huge difference in the education and experience of our students. We use all the gifts we receive to transform the Roski School of Fine Arts into the best possible art school one ambitious goal at a time.

Your investment in the School is significant, and we hope you will continue to contribute to our future growth. Your interest and engagement are always an important part of our success. We look forward to your joining with us to make Roski the art school of the future.

Ruth Weisberg, Dean
USC Gayle Garner Roski School of Fine Arts

PATRON'S TONDO

Did you know that less than 60% of our operating expenses are covered by student tuition? We rely heavily on the generosity of alumni, parents and supporters like you. In joining the USC Roski School of Fine Arts Patron's Tondo or Dean's Tondo, you are helping us provide gifted students with quality instruction in virtually all professional and scholarly branches of the fine arts. To recognize your generosity and increase your involvement in the Roski School of Fine Arts, we are delighted to offer a variety of donor benefits.

YOUR BENEFITS

$1,000 - For recent alumni only (first five years after BA , BFA, MFA or MPAS) to support the Centennial Alumni Scholarship Fund

• USC e-mail address
• Listed among Donors in Artfacts
• Invitation to Speaker Series
• Job postings on Roski site (forthcoming)
• Subscription to weekly Roski E-Newsletter
• Potential alumni exhibition participation
• Invitation to alumni events
• BFA and MFA annual catalogues and other publications

$2,500 - Advocate--to support Freshmen Scholarships and the Fund for Student Excellence

• All benefits listed above
• Invitation to 1 special event or program per semester

$5,000 - Trendsetter

• All benefits listed above
• Trendsetters Dinner with the Dean
• Museum tour with Dean or distinguished faculty

$10,000 - Corporate

• All benefits listed above
• Invitation to 1 private event or program per year at the Roski School for corporate employees

DEAN'S TONDO

By partnering with the Dean, benefactors ensure that the USC Roski School of Fine Arts is one of the country's premier institutions of higher education in the arts. This distinguished group will be listed on a wall plaque in Watt Hall acknowledging their vision and support.

YOUR LIFETIME BENEFITS

$25,000 - Innovator

• All benefits listed in Patron's Tondo plus
• Time with the Dean or a faculty member for one hour prior to special events when possible
• Donations payable over three years
• Option to earmark donations for specific purposes

$50,000 - Leader

• All benefits listed above
• Membership in USC Associates
• Donations payable over five years
• Editioned work of art by student selected through competitive process

$100,000 - Visionary

• All benefits listed above
• Private dinner with the Dean
• Editioned work of art by noted faculty member

To join THE TONDO, please print and return this form. For more information, please contact Donna Stein, USC Roski Director of Development, at 213.740.6261, or donna.stein@usc.edu.

For more information on for giving at the University of Southern California, please visit http://www.usc.edu/giving/

We appreciate your support!