Leave it to John Maeda, the Rhode Island School of Design’s new president, to invoke the long-term value of art at a time when global financial markets are gripped by chaos and uncertainty. He made the point last week on his blog, our.risd.edu, pointing to the high level of interest in an auction featuring the work of British artist Damien Hirst.

Maeda, 42, brings a hefty reputation to his new perch. Esquire recently named the internationally recognized designer and author (The Laws of Simplicity) among the 75 most influential people for the 21st century.