First female Dean

'An honour that I accept with a great sense of responsibility,' with these words, Laura Silvestre García makes history at the faculty where she studied, taught, and developed her career in university politics. She has become the first female Dean of the Faculty of Fine Arts at the Universitat Politècnica de València, heir to the Royal Academy of Fine Arts of San Carlos, founded in 1768. She described this as a deeply moving milestone, which she recognises as the result of the 'path paved by numerous female artists, researchers and managers who have been role models in the Faculty and at the Universitat Politècnica de València'.

Laura Silvestre García was appointed Dean of the Faculty of Fine Arts at the Universitat Politècnica de València at a ceremony held on Friday, 30 January, in the faculty auditorium. Rector José E. Capilla presided over the ceremony, in the presence of the Secretary General of the UPV, Antoni Claver, and the outgoing Dean, Pepe Galindo, as well as family members, friends and representatives of the academic community.

Home of her academic life

A graduate and PhD from the UPV, she has developed her entire academic career at this institution, which she defines as 'the home of my academic life, first as a student and then as a lecturer and researcher' In this regard, she explained that one of the reasons that prompted her to submit her candidacy was her gratitude for everything the Faculty has given her, with the intention of giving back 'by transforming that gratitude into commitment and dedication'.

Silvestre has stated that her goal is to work towards 'a leading Faculty of Fine Arts that takes on the responsibility of helping to shape a critical, prepared citizenry that is responsible for its environment and committed to society', focusing on quality, equality, professionalisation, internationalisation, the promotion of culture, creativity and the capacity for innovation.

Six strategic areas

The Dean explained that her management project is based on understanding the Faculty as 'a shared, living, accessible space that is constantly evolving and attentive to the well-being of its community'. The programme is the result of 'a process of actively listening to all the groups within the centre and is structured around six strategic areas: academic commitment, quality and internationalisation; equality and diversity; communication and transfer; professionalisation, employment and entrepreneurship; a committed and sustainable faculty; and the impact of new technologies on the arts,' she explained.

Silvestre also highlighted the importance of the Dean's team that accompanies her, made up of Academic and Research Staff and technical and administrative staff from the Faculty's five historical departments, with multidisciplinary profiles and a critical, committed and transformative vision.

Born in Valencia on 23 November 1976, Laura Silvestre García holds a degree in Fine Arts and a PhD from the UPV (2008). She is a Senior Lecturer in the Sculpture Department. She teaches the Bachelor's Degree in Fine Arts and the Master's Degree in Artistic Production. Her research focuses on contemporary art exhibition spaces, curatorial studies, and practices.

She served as academic director of the Master's Degree in Artistic Production (2015-2017) and, for the past eight years, as vice-dean of culture at the Faculty of Fine Arts (2017-2025). In 2025, she was appointed a member of the Scientific-Artistic Commission of the Consorci de Museus de la Comunitat Valenciana.

The elections were held on 10 December 2025, and Silvestre was the only candidate. You can check the election results at this link.

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