I received an email this morning informing me that Claudine Brown in under consideration for chair of the NEA. As an artist dedicated to human rights and working in low-income communities someone like Claudine being the chair of the NEA would simply be a victory for humanity. You might not know Claudine, but she has been an voice and supporter of artists in low-income communities across the country and fearless in her support for art that works to address pressing social issues for decades.
I know hundreds of artists around the country who will step up and support her, but I need the KOS community advice on make sure our voices our heard. What is the best way to rally for a person under consideration? Who should we ‘target’ our communication to? Can we get a progressive and social justice activist elected to Chair of the NEA? More about Claudine below the fold.
We have an amazing opportunity to have a grassroots, progressive, and creative person as our new chair of the NEA. Please contact Members of the Congressional Arts Caucus and ask them to consider Claudine Brown for NEA chair.
More about Claudine from David White, former Executive Director and Producer of New York's Dance Theater Workshop and founder of the National Performance Network:
...I'm writing as a private citizen to share with you that Claudine Brown, currently Director of the Arts and Culture Program at the Nathan Cummings Foundation, is a candidate for Chairperson of the National Endowment for the Arts. Claudine has worked with vision and commitment at the nexus of arts and social justice in her role at Cummings as well as in her prior career (see her biographical summary below). It would be extraordinary to have an NEA Chair who has her field knowledge, experience, and progressive values - and, like all of us, has grown up within a landscape of artists and community that we have fought to build and sustain.
It is vital at this time that our support be expressed, both to our Senators and Representatives (especially those who are members of the congressional Arts Caucus and/or the the various committees that oversee the Dept. of the Interior, the NEA's parent agency) and to the White House staff below. If you can reach individuals and networks, especially outside of California and New York, that speak to the diversity of heritage and exploration across the country, it would be very, very helpful.
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Artists and communities would benefit greatly from an inspired NEA. Claudine is someone who has been looking at the intersection of art, community, and social change for decades.
Claudine Kinard Brown is currently the Director of the Arts and Culture Program at the Nathan Cummings Foundation. She began her professional career as an art and drama teacher in New York City Public Schools. In 1976 she joined the staff of the Brooklyn Museum where she served for thirteen years in several capacities. She began her career in Brooklyn, as a museum educator. In 1984 she served as Manager of School and Community Programs and in 1985 she became the Museum's Assistant Director for Government and Community Relations.
Brown left the Brooklyn Museum in 1990 to direct the Smithsonian Institution's initiative to create a National African American Museum. Her responsibilities included: conducting a needs assessment, developing a vision statement and program plan, and opening a Center for African American History & Culture pending passage of authorizing legislation to create a museum. In 1991, she added to her responsibilities by concurrently assuming the position of Deputy Assistant Secretary for Museums. Her responsibilities included developing policy affecting 13 national arts and humanities museums, reviewing their long-range plans and assisting in prioritizing institution-wide budget requests which were presented to Congress.
Claudine Brown has served on several nonprofit boards, including the American Association of Museums, the National Park Service Fund, the Association of Black Foundation Executives and she recently served as President of the Board of Grantmakers in the Arts. She has taught graduate courses in the Arts Administration program at New York University, and the Museum Leadership Program at Bank Street College. Claudine Brown has a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from Pratt Institute, a Masters of Science degree in Museum Education from Bank Street College and a Doctor of Jurisprudence degree from Brooklyn Law School.
KOS folks I need your advice on how to support Claudine's consideration. Suggestions, ideas, actions, or steps?