NEA Chairman Jane Chu to Visit Alaska February 21-24, 2018
Washington, DC –Jane Chu will travel to Alaska for the second time as chairman of the National Endowment for the Arts on February 21–24, 2018, participating in the Creative Forces Summit in Anchorage, as well as visiting arts organizations in Fairbanks and Bethel.
Chairman Chu will begin her trip in Anchorage to participate in an arts and military summit taking place as part of Creative Forces: NEA Military Healing Arts Network. Chairman Chu will speak at the welcome reception at Anchorage Community Works the evening of February 21 and the summit on February 22 at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson’s Arctic Warrior Event Center. Chairman Chu will be available for interviews on both days. An advisory providing more details on the events of February 21 and February 22 is also being distributed. Media interested in attending the reception should contact Victoria Hutter at hutterv@arts.gov. Media interested in attending the summit should contact JBER Media Engagement at jber.pa.mediaops@us.af.mil, 907-551-8995 for more information.
Creative Forces places creative arts therapies at the core of patient-centered care at 11 clinical sites throughout the country—including Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson in Alaska—plus a telehealth program, and increases access to therapeutic arts activities in local communities for military members, veterans, and their families. These programs serve the unique and special needs of military patients who have been diagnosed with traumatic brain injury and psychological health conditions. The goal for this event is to convene the local arts and military communities as a first step towards creating a network able to provide arts programs targeted for military personnel, their families, and veterans.
On Friday, February 23, Chairman Chu will visit Fairbanks, where she will tour the University of Alaska’s Museum of the North as well as university’s fine arts complex. That afternoon, she will meet the local arts community at an event hosted by Fairbanks Arts Association, followed by a visit to the Morris Thompson Cultural and Visitors Center, where she will learn more about Tanana Chiefs Cultural Programs and Explore Fairbanks.
On Saturday, February 24, Chairman Chu will visit Bethel. As part of her visit she will meet with local artists and art leaders, tour the Yupiit Piciryarait Cultural Center, and learn more about Alaska New Visions arts education program.
To find recent direct NEA grants to Alaska organizations and individuals, visit the NEA’s grants search.
The following events are open to the media but closed to the public, except where noted below. Media who wish to attend must RSVP in advance to the NEA at auclaire@arts.gov.
Wednesday, February 21, 2018—Anchorage
5:00–7:30 p.m. Remarks at the Creative Forces Welcome Reception (remarks will begin at 5:30 p.m.)—Open to the Public. Media interested in attending the reception should contact Victoria Hutter at hutterv@arts.gov.
Location: Anchorage Community Works,349 E Ship Creek Ave, Anchorage, AK 99501
Participants:
Jane Chu, chairman, National Endowment for the Arts
Benjamin Brown, chairman, Alaska State Council on the Arts
Andrea Noble-Pelant, executive director, Alaska State Council on the Arts
Patrick Garley, artist, Arctic Fires
Thursday, February 22, 2018—Anchorage 9:00–11:00 a.m. Creative Forces Summit—Media may attend the summit during this time period. Please contact JBER Media Engagement at jber.pa.mediaops@us.af.mil, 907-551-8995 for more information. Location: Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Arctic Warrior Event Center, 9387 Kuter Avenue, Anchorage, Alaska 99506 Participants: Jane Chu, chairman, National Endowment for the Arts Benjamin Brown, chairman, Alaska State Council on the Arts Nolen Bivens, brigadier general (Ret) U.S. Army; president, Leader Six, Inc. Benjamin Brown, chairman, Alaska State Council on the Arts Dr. Malasari Chaudery-Malgei, Chronic Pain Management Psychologist and Holistic Health Specialist, JBER Hospital Sara Kass, M.D., Captain (Ret) U.S. Navy; military and medical advisor, Creative Forces Andrea Noble-Pelant, executive director, Alaska State Council on the Arts Bill O’Brien, senior innovation advisor, National Endowment for the Arts Major Jamie Pons-Valerio, site director, JBER Defense and Veteran Brain Injury Center Danielle Vetro-Kalseth, JBER music therapist, Creative Forces Marete Wester, senior director, Americans for the Arts
Friday, February 23, 2018—Fairbanks 9:00–10:00 a.m. Tour of Museum of the North Location: University of Alaska Fairbanks, 1962 Yukon Dr., Fairbanks, AK 99775 Participants: Jane Chu, chairman, National Endowment for the Arts Benjamin Brown, chairman, Alaska State Council on the Arts Andrea Noble-Pelant, executive director, Alaska State Council on the Arts Kesler Woodward, vice-chair, Alaska State Council on the Arts and Professor of Art Emeritus, University of Alaska Fairbanks Aldona Jonaitis, director, Museum of the North Mareca Guthrie, curator of Fine Arts, Museum of the North
10–10:45 a.m. Tour University of Alaska’s Fine Arts Complex Location: 1962 Yukon Dr., Fairbanks, AK 99775 Participants: Jane Chu, chairman, National Endowment for the Arts Benjamin Brown, chairman, Alaska State Council on the Arts Andrea Noble-Pelant, executive director, Alaska State Council on the Arts Kesler Woodward, vice-chair, Alaska State Council on the Arts and Professor of Art Emeritus, University of Alaska Fairbanks Eduard Zilberkant, conductor and music director of the Fairbanks Symphony Laura Bergh, executive director, Fairbanks Symphony Association Da-ka-xeen Mehner, chair of the Art Department Carrie Baker, department head, Film and Theatre Department Leonard Kammerling, English Department. Gary Toth, operations manager, Music Department
1:00–2:00 p.m. Meet and greet with local arts community Location: Fairbanks Arts Association’s Bear Gallery, 2300 Airport Way, Fairbanks, AK 99701 Participants: Jane Chu, chairman, National Endowment for the Arts Benjamin Brown, chairman, Alaska State Council on the Arts Andrea Noble-Pelant, executive director, Alaska State Council on the Arts Jess Peña, executive director, Fairbanks Arts Association
2:30–3:30 PM Tour of Morris Thompson Cultural and Visitors Center Location: 101 Dunkel St, Fairbanks, AK 99701 Participants: Jane Chu, chairman, National Endowment for the Arts Benjamin Brown, chairman, Alaska State Council on the Arts Andrea Noble-Pelant, executive director, Alaska State Council on the Arts Cindy Shumaker, operations manager Dixie Alexander, cultural program director, Tanana Chiefs Cultural Programs Helen Renfrew, director of meetings and conventions, Explore Fairbanks Amy Geiger, director of communications, Explore Fairbanks
Saturday, February 24, 2018—Bethel 12:15–1:00 p.m. Meeting with artists and arts leaders Location: Yupiit Piciryarait Cultural Center, 420 Chief Eddie Hoffman Highway, Bethel, AK 99559 Participants: Jane Chu, chairman, National Endowment for the Arts Benjamin Brown, chairman, Alaska State Council on the Arts Dr. Theresa Arevgaq John, Yup’ik Culture Leader
1:00–3:00 p.m. Tour Yupiit Piciryarait Cultural Center Location: 420 Chief Eddie Hoffman Highway, Bethel, AK 99559 Participants: Jane Chu, chairman, National Endowment for the Arts Benjamin Brown, chairman, Alaska State Council on the Arts Dr. Theresa Arevgaq John, Yup’ik Culture Leader
3:00–3:30 p.m. Discussion about New Visions Program Location: Yupiit Piciryarait Cultural Center, 420 Chief Eddie Hoffman Highway, Bethel, AK 99559 Participants: Jane Chu, chairman, National Endowment for the Arts Benjamin Brown, chairman, Alaska State Council on the Arts Dr. Theresa Arevgaq John, Yup’ik Culture Leader # # #
Thursday, February 22, 2018—Anchorage 9:00–11:00 a.m. Creative Forces Summit—Media may attend the summit during this time period. Please contact JBER Media Engagement at jber.pa.mediaops@us.af.mil, 907-551-8995 for more information. Location: Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Arctic Warrior Event Center, 9387 Kuter Avenue, Anchorage, Alaska 99506 Participants: Jane Chu, chairman, National Endowment for the Arts Benjamin Brown, chairman, Alaska State Council on the Arts Nolen Bivens, brigadier general (Ret) U.S. Army; president, Leader Six, Inc. Benjamin Brown, chairman, Alaska State Council on the Arts Dr. Malasari Chaudery-Malgei, Chronic Pain Management Psychologist and Holistic Health Specialist, JBER Hospital Sara Kass, M.D., Captain (Ret) U.S. Navy; military and medical advisor, Creative Forces Andrea Noble-Pelant, executive director, Alaska State Council on the Arts Bill O’Brien, senior innovation advisor, National Endowment for the Arts Major Jamie Pons-Valerio, site director, JBER Defense and Veteran Brain Injury Center Danielle Vetro-Kalseth, JBER music therapist, Creative Forces Marete Wester, senior director, Americans for the Arts
Friday, February 23, 2018—Fairbanks 9:00–10:00 a.m. Tour of Museum of the North Location: University of Alaska Fairbanks, 1962 Yukon Dr., Fairbanks, AK 99775 Participants: Jane Chu, chairman, National Endowment for the Arts Benjamin Brown, chairman, Alaska State Council on the Arts Andrea Noble-Pelant, executive director, Alaska State Council on the Arts Kesler Woodward, vice-chair, Alaska State Council on the Arts and Professor of Art Emeritus, University of Alaska Fairbanks Aldona Jonaitis, director, Museum of the North Mareca Guthrie, curator of Fine Arts, Museum of the North
10–10:45 a.m. Tour University of Alaska’s Fine Arts Complex Location: 1962 Yukon Dr., Fairbanks, AK 99775 Participants: Jane Chu, chairman, National Endowment for the Arts Benjamin Brown, chairman, Alaska State Council on the Arts Andrea Noble-Pelant, executive director, Alaska State Council on the Arts Kesler Woodward, vice-chair, Alaska State Council on the Arts and Professor of Art Emeritus, University of Alaska Fairbanks Eduard Zilberkant, conductor and music director of the Fairbanks Symphony Laura Bergh, executive director, Fairbanks Symphony Association Da-ka-xeen Mehner, chair of the Art Department Carrie Baker, department head, Film and Theatre Department Leonard Kammerling, English Department. Gary Toth, operations manager, Music Department
1:00–2:00 p.m. Meet and greet with local arts community Location: Fairbanks Arts Association’s Bear Gallery, 2300 Airport Way, Fairbanks, AK 99701 Participants: Jane Chu, chairman, National Endowment for the Arts Benjamin Brown, chairman, Alaska State Council on the Arts Andrea Noble-Pelant, executive director, Alaska State Council on the Arts Jess Peña, executive director, Fairbanks Arts Association
2:30–3:30 PM Tour of Morris Thompson Cultural and Visitors Center Location: 101 Dunkel St, Fairbanks, AK 99701 Participants: Jane Chu, chairman, National Endowment for the Arts Benjamin Brown, chairman, Alaska State Council on the Arts Andrea Noble-Pelant, executive director, Alaska State Council on the Arts Cindy Shumaker, operations manager Dixie Alexander, cultural program director, Tanana Chiefs Cultural Programs Helen Renfrew, director of meetings and conventions, Explore Fairbanks Amy Geiger, director of communications, Explore Fairbanks
Saturday, February 24, 2018—Bethel 12:15–1:00 p.m. Meeting with artists and arts leaders Location: Yupiit Piciryarait Cultural Center, 420 Chief Eddie Hoffman Highway, Bethel, AK 99559 Participants: Jane Chu, chairman, National Endowment for the Arts Benjamin Brown, chairman, Alaska State Council on the Arts Dr. Theresa Arevgaq John, Yup’ik Culture Leader
1:00–3:00 p.m. Tour Yupiit Piciryarait Cultural Center Location: 420 Chief Eddie Hoffman Highway, Bethel, AK 99559 Participants: Jane Chu, chairman, National Endowment for the Arts Benjamin Brown, chairman, Alaska State Council on the Arts Dr. Theresa Arevgaq John, Yup’ik Culture Leader
3:00–3:30 p.m. Discussion about New Visions Program Location: Yupiit Piciryarait Cultural Center, 420 Chief Eddie Hoffman Highway, Bethel, AK 99559 Participants: Jane Chu, chairman, National Endowment for the Arts Benjamin Brown, chairman, Alaska State Council on the Arts Dr. Theresa Arevgaq John, Yup’ik Culture Leader # # #
Contact
Liz Auclair (NEA), auclaire@arts.gov, 202-682-5744
