CAPAC Congratulates Dr. Jane Chu for Nomination to Chair National Endowment for the Arts
Washington, D.C. – Today, the White House announced its intent to nominate Dr. Jane Chu to Chair the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA). Members of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus (CAPAC) released the following statements to congratulate Dr. Chu:
Congresswoman Judy Chu (CA-27), CAPAC Chair:
“I want to congratulate Dr. Jane Chu for her nomination to Chair the National Endowment for the Arts. As the current President and CEO of Kansas City’s Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts, Dr. Chu is exceptionally qualified to lead the NEA. Having worked with local arts and social organizations for nearly two decades, she understands the unique capability of the arts to transcend language barriers and bridge cultural divides.
“I applaud President Obama for nominating another highly qualified Asian American candidate to lead an independent agency. I urge the Senate to move swiftly on Dr. Chu’s confirmation.”
Congresswoman Madeleine Bordallo (GU), CAPAC Vice Chair:
“I applaud President Obama on his nomination of Dr. Jane Chu to serve as the next Chairman of the National Endowment for the Arts. Dr. Chu is a well-qualified candidate with the expertise and leadership needed to lead the NEA. Her nomination is another positive step for the AAPI community and our nation’s arts community. I urge the Senate to act swiftly on her nomination.”
Congressman Mike Honda (CA-17), CAPAC Chair Emeritus:
“I am thrilled to congratulate Dr. Jane Chu on her nomination as the Chair of the National Endowment for the Arts. Her lifetime of service to the arts makes her the right choice for this venerated institution. The NEA supports our nation’s artists and their creative endeavors and diversity plays a huge role in this process. I have no doubt Dr. Jane Chu will continue this great tradition at NEA.”
Background:
The National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) is an independent federal agency that funds and promotes excellence, creativity, and innovation in the arts. The NEA was established in 1965 by the United States Congress, and has since awarded over $4 billion to individuals and communities, making it the largest single source support for the arts in the nation. If confirmed, Dr. Jane Chu will succeed former Chairman Rocco Landesman and Acting Chairwoman Joan Shigekawa.
Dr. Jane Chu is President and CEO of the Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts in Kansas City, Missouri, a position she has held since 2006. She was a Fund Executive at the Kauffman Fund for Kansas City from 2004 to 2006, and Vice President of External Relations for Union Station Kansas City from 2002 to 2004. She was Vice President of Community Investment for the Greater Kansas City Community Foundation from 1997 to 2002. Dr. Chu is a Trustee at William Jewell College and serves on the Board of Directors of the Ewing Marion Kauffman School and the Greater Kansas City Chamber of Commerce. She was named Kansas City’s Nonprofit Professional of the Year for 2014. Dr. Chu received an A.A. in Visual Arts from Nebraska Wesleyan University, a B.M. in Piano Performance and a B.M.Ed. in Music Education from Ouachita Baptist University, an M.A. in Piano Pedagogy from Southern Methodist University, an M.B.A. from Rockhurst University, and a Ph.D. in Philanthropic Studies from Indiana University.
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The Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus (CAPAC) is comprised of Members of Congress of Asian and Pacific Islander descent and Members who have a strong dedication to promoting the well-being of the Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) community. Currently chaired by Congresswoman Judy Chu, CAPAC has been addressing the needs of the AAPI community in all areas of American life since it was founded in 1994.