Hello everyone, Miskatonic founder Kier-La Janisse here.
After 13 years of existence, there’s a big change of hands happening at Miskatonic. I’ve said farewell before, when I stepped down as Executive Director to make room for new blood in the form of Dr. Shelagh Rowan-Legg, who shepherded the organization through its most challenging – and ultimately transformational – period with the onset of the pandemic. It was under Shelagh’s direction that Miskatonic first explored a fully online model, through which we found a robust international audience, which was really re-invigorating for the organization as a whole and continues to thrive even as in-person events have resumed.
“I’ve had a rewarding and engaging two years as the Executive Director of The Miskatonic Institute,” says Shelagh, who has stepped down as ED as of this spring to focus on her own artistic practice. “It’s been a wonderful opportunity to bring new ideas and theories to our audience, and welcome diverse minds to discuss horror in all its variations. I’ve loved working with the staff and board, and welcoming our audience from around the world. It’s been a tremendous experience.”
In the meantime, I’ve been acting as interim ED while we prepare for a momentous pivot, with operations being handed over entirely to Josh Saco, who has been our London branch director since 2017.
“Back in 2010 in a small bookshop in Winnipeg, Canada, Kier-La Janisse created Miskatonic Institute of Horror Studies, and since then it has expanded to become an international phenomenon, working with the biggest names in horror academia, inspiring countless podcasts and imitators cast across cities around the world,” says Josh. “Taking the helm of Miskatonic is an honour and a responsibility, I hope I can carry on the spirit, further the story, and remain an inspiration.”
Miskatonic will continue under Josh’s leadership as of Autumn 2023. This change of hands also brings some changes to the structure of Miskatonic. As Josh explains: “For the moment, we’ll be shifting the US branches to the online format, allowing us to continue to invite a diverse group of speakers and experts, reserving in-person classes for one-off special events under the care of Claire Donner in NYC, while London will remain live and in-person at the Horse Hospital. If you are in town, please do come and join us.”
The last official in-person events for Miskatonic LA (and my personal goodbye to Miskatonic) land on Wednesday May 31 and Thursday June 1, with a two-night tribute to the work of film and pop culture historian Jimmy McDonough, who authored the essential Andy Milligan (The Ghastly One) and Russ Meyer (Big Bosoms and Square Jaws) biographies (not to mention the incendiary NY Times bestseller Shakey: Neil Young’s Biography) and now brings us his most visually striking and ambitious book of all: The Exotic Ones, about mid-century exploitation-turned-religious picture-makers, The Ormond Family. (more details on this event HERE).
But that’s it for my personal plug – it’s Josh’s show now, and I cannot wait to put my student cap back on as the next iteration of Miskatonic spreads its tendrils into eager minds everywhere.
– Kier-La Janisse