Michael Steinberg, director of the Cogut Center for the Humanities and professor of history, will become the University’s first vice provost for the arts starting Jan. 1, Provost Vicki Colvin announced in a community-wide email late Friday afternoon.

The mid-year appointment comes in time for the vice provost to lead the University’s efforts to expand the arts — a task that will include pursuing several goals for the arts outlined in President Christina Paxson’s strategic plan, Colvin wrote.

Steinberg, who came to College Hill in 2005 as the Cogut Center’s first director, holds additional posts as professor of music and German studies.

Colvin described Steinberg “an experienced and exceptionally talented academic leader,” adding that he “has developed the (Cogut) Center as a vibrant hub for the humanities on campus and cultivated dynamic communities across disciplines.”

When Steinberg takes over in January, his tasks will include managing interdepartmental planning processes, building programs that will draw coveted faculty members and artists to Brown, discussing the development of facilities with stakeholders, and collaborating with the faculty to grow Brown’s arts programs on an international and interdepartmental level, Colvin wrote.

As vice provost for the arts, Steinberg will report to Colvin and take a seat in Paxson’s cabinet, she wrote.

The new administrative job will encompass the roles of director of the Perry and Marty Granoff Center for the Creative Arts and chair of the Creative Arts Council, which is held by Professor of Visual Art Richard Fishman, whose term comes to an end June 30, Colvin wrote.

Fishman’s “creativity, commitment and dedication … have helped position Brown so well for the future,” she added.

As Steinberg vacates his position as director of the Cogut Center, the University plans to name his successor in a few weeks, Colvin wrote, adding that Steinberg will retain that role until June 30.