David Scobey is Director of the Arts of Citizenship Program and an Associate Professor at the Taubman College of Architecture and Urban Planning of the University of Michigan (UM). He is a historian with special interests in the cultural history, urban culture, public art, and urban planning of 19th and 20th century America. In addition to his book, Empire City: The Making and Meaning of the New York City Landscape (Temple University Press, 2002), he has published scholarly articles and consulted on several public television documentaries. David holds a PhD in American Studies from Yale, as well as a Diploma in Social Anthropology from Oxford.

Karis Crawford is a Program Associate with Arts of Citizenship. She writes grants and handles publicity and communications for the program. Karis's academic background is in medieval literature (PhD from Toronto), and her work experience has included both teaching and administrative positions in higher education, primarily at UM. Her other job is writing on subjects that include women's health, food, and alternative community life.

Laura J. Seeger-Taylor is the Finance Manager who handles budget and bookkeeping, payroll, liaison with project coordinators, and day-to-day office functioning for Arts of Citizenship. She holds an Associate's degree in sociology and has an extensive background in community service work.

Project Staff

Deborah Gordon-Gurfinkel, Project Coordinator for Telling It, is a drama-in-education specialist, trained in Britain, who has worked with homeless children, young offenders, and troubled youth.

Amy Grossman, Project Coordinator for Debatewatch, has a background in history and communications. She has worked in the corporate world producing interactive educational media, especially in American history.

Kathryn Stine, Project Coordinator for Detroit Connections, holds an MFA from the UM School of Art and Design. She has been involved with numerous exhibits and community arts projects.

Josephine Tsai, Project Coordinator for Children of Abraham, Students on Site, and Underground Railroad, holds a master's degree from Harvard and taught high school for a number of years.

Irene Cheung, Arts of Citizenship's webmaster, is working toward a dual master’s degree in Information Science and Business at UM.

Marty Betts is the freelance graphic artist who created the Arts of Citizenship logo and color spectrum.

Douglas Heavrin-Brown and Karen Yamada from the U-M Information Technology Division originally constructed this website.

Lynne Friman of Envisions Design, Ltd., and W. A. P. John of Grafaktri, Inc., have worked with Arts of Citizenship on historical exhibits.

Our many community partners are mentioned throughout this website.