Wednesday, April 01, 2015

Kay Kendall is DCCAH's new chair

The DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities (DCCAH) is pleased to welcome longtime arts and non-profit advocate Kay Kendall as its new chair.

Kendall brings more than four decades of arts, education and community outreach experience and leadership to this vital post. She was a 25-year board member of the Washington Ballet, including eight years as its chair, and is currently on the boards of CityDance and THEARC. As the founder of Kendall+Associates in 2008, she is a consultant on fundraising and non-profit board governance, helping community groups build leadership and organizational structure. Since coming to Washington in 1977, Kendall has also been involved with the Maret School, the Kingsbury Center, Ashoka International and Children's Hospital.

She recently co-chaired the Transition Team on Arts and the Creative Economy for Mayor Muriel Bowser, who said: "Kay Kendall brings an enormous amount of knowledge with her as an arts leader. As a longtime resident of the District of Columbia, she understands the importance of celebrating arts not just in the downtown core but throughout our vibrant neighborhoods."

"I am extremely honored to accept the position of chair of the DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities," Kendall said. "The arts and humanities make our city great, and the support of the Commission is invaluable in achieving that success. I am proud to be able to do my part to ensure the arts and humanities continue to thrive in the District of Columbia."

Septime Webre, artistic director of the Washington Ballet, praised Kendall's "indefatigable and spirited efforts to secure funds for important artistic initiatives and organizations, and in particular, her championing of access to arts education for young people in the District."

A native of Chattanooga, Tenn., Kendall earned a BA in English from Hollins College (now Hollins University) and worked as a teacher, librarian and social worker before coming to Washington.

The Chair and Commissioners of the DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities are volunteers who are appointed by the Mayor and approved by the Council of the District of Columbia. They represent the various wards throughout the city. Kendall was confirmed on March 17, 2015 by the City Council and sworn in by Mayor Bowser on March 20, 2015.  

No comments: