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For Immediate Release

12/16/2004

Contact:
Virginia Anagnos
Goodman Media International
212.576.2700


Newly Elected Council Members to Chart Course for Emerging Arts Leaders

Washington, DC — December 16, 2004 — Americans for the Arts announces today the election of nine new members to its Emerging Leader Council, a group that assists in developing programs and resources to promote the growth, development, and sustenance of emerging arts professionals nationwide.

“Americans for the Arts strives to cultivate the next generation of arts leaders in America and we are pleased to welcome the nine new members,” said Robert Lynch, president and CEO of Americans for the Arts. “These individuals will help us chart and lead the future of arts in America.”

Americans for the Arts supports the development of new arts leadership. Emerging arts leaders bring fresh perspectives, new ideas, and vibrant energy to a career that builds its foundation on creativity. New professionals are valuable to the arts community, and the members of the Emerging Leader Council are dedicated to see that the support for the arts continues for generations to come.

Following is a list of the newly elected Emerging Leader Council members:

John Abodeely is the finance and operations manager for Arts Corps in Seattle, where he supports basic organizational structure for a free arts education program for lower- and middle-income individuals.

Amanda Ault is the membership and program associate at the National Alliance for Media Arts and Culture (NAMAC) in San Francisco. There, she keeps NAMAC connected to its members through outreach, online access, and program support.

Shannon Daut is the director of programs for the Western States Arts Federation (WESTAF) in Denver. She administers WESTAF’s presenting and touring grant program, TourWest, and manages programs in literature and folk arts throughout the West.

David Dombrosky is the manager for contemporary arts for the Southern Arts Federation, based in Atlanta. He is also the coordinator for Operation Homecoming, a joint project with the NEA that teaches returning service personnel how to articulate their experiences through the written word.

Jana Farr is on staff at the Utah Arts Council, where she has been asked to initiate an International Cultural Diplomacy and Exchange program for the state. She also coordinates the Arts Council Board’s legislative advocacy strategy.

Cuong Hoang is the ARTWorks for Kids program manager at Hunt Alternatives Fund, where he helped launch the Fund’s new program focusing on arts activities for disadvantaged children and youth in the Greater Boston area.

Justin Laing is the managing director and assistant artistic director of Nego Gato, Inc-Pittsburgh (NGI-Pgh). NGI is led by Mestre Nego Gato and its mission is to empower the world community through performance, education, and employment in the African-Brazilian arts of music, dance, and Capoeira.

Lowell C. Matthews (Chris) is the development director for Music Theatre Workshop in Chicago, an organization with more than 20 years of teaching youth to make positive life choices.

Jen Meyer is director of marketing for the Regional Arts Commission of St. Louis and works with the 220 nonprofit arts and cultural institutions the agency funds on optimizing the impact of their marketing and public relations programs.

Claudia Haydon, Marialaura Leslie, and Eric Thomas were re-elected to the Emerging Leader Council.

Americans for the Arts is the leading nonprofit organization for advancing the arts in America. With offices in Washington, DC, and New York City, it has a record of more than 40 years of service. Americans for the Arts is dedicated to representing and serving local communities and creating opportunities for every American to participate in and appreciate all forms of the arts. Additional information is available at www.AmericansForTheArts.org.

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