Interlochen Center for the Arts Recently Began an Investigation into Claims of Sexual Misconduct.
The Interlochen Center for the Arts has recently begun an investigation into claims of sexual misconduct involving multiple former faculty members.
The Michigan-based “immersive arts experience” includes numerous education programs for all ages and abilities, designed to “hone [participants’] skills and nurture their humanity.” However, numerous alumni claim that they experienced a more sinister and traumatizing reality.
A Massachusetts based firm, Sanghavi Law Office, has been hired to lead the review as an external investigative party. Reports from former Interlochen students identified multiple faculty members from the 1960s and 1970s. According to the center, none of the employees involved currently teach there and some have already died.
“While the reports involve conduct from more than 50 years ago, sexual abuse committed by an adult in a position of power or trust against a student is wrong — then and now,” ICA stated.
The arts center carefully selected lead attorneys Elizabeth Sanghavi and Jane (Jenni) Lopez. Both have backgrounds as federal civil rights attorneys and are experienced in “investigating historical abuse in a trauma-informed and sensitive manner.”
Sanghavi and Lopez have already begun to interview alumni, and they encourage anyone who experienced or witnessed sexual misconduct to reach out as soon as possible. Representatives from ICA maintain that they are doing everything in their power to ensure the safety of current students.
Interlochen Center for the Arts understands that “revisiting painful memories can be difficult. We want every community member of our community to know that this work is being done in good faith and with empathy. We are committed to creating a space where voices can be heard and where those experiences can be integrated into a robust understanding of our institutional history.”
Authors: Alexis Kabat and Andy Goldwasser
