Day Eight founder Robert Bettmann founded the DCAA Steering Committee in 2007. He is currently Board Chair. Mr. Bettmann is a dancer, choreographer, writer, and editor. He is the Artistic Director of Bettmann Dances, the editor of the local arts magazine Bourgeon (online at http://www.bourgeononline.com), and the author of Somatic Ecology, a book of environmental history/theory published by VDM: Verlag in May of 2009. To learn more about Day Eight visit www.dayeight.org.
Independent artist Jenny Walton joined the steering committee of the DCAA in 2008 through her work with David Furchgott, President of International Arts and Artists. Through explorations in science, medicine, and the idea of faith Jenny Walton explores events that are beautiful, horrific, and touch the sublime. Included are subjects of biology, micro and macro environments, life cycles, and nature as it applies to the human condition specific to moments of injury or events in a body’s history. The work expresses the pushing and pulling of nature, the construction and deterioration of body, and the evidence that eludes to a history of injury.
Artomatic founder George Koch joined the DCAA steering committee in 2007. Artomatic is a month-long art festival in DC that is free to the general public celebrating its 10th anniversary in 2009. In 2009, the event features nine floors of visual and installation art, theater performances, dance and comedy, three music stages, street performances such as fire dancing and drum troupes, and a film screening theater. 52,500 people attended Artomatic in 2008, and 70,000 are expected this year. Over 1,000 visual artists and 600 performing artists are exhibiting this year.
Ava Spece, Executive Director of DCYOP joined the DCAA Board in 2009. The DC Youth Orchestra Program provides music classes and ensemble training to all students who wish to participate. Because of the program's unique structure and curriculum, no child is turned away and every child is challenged by being placed in a level appropriate to his or her ability. We accept all students, regardless of experience or income level.
Amber Robles-Gordon joined the DCAA board in 2010. Her goal in life is to continue to infuse personal and professional interactions, with the healing power of art. She believes art is a state of mind. She is a mixed media artist, working in collage, photography, pastels, acrylic, watercolors and oil paint sticks. She is also the founder of Black Artists of DC, a consortium for visual artists.
Roy Gross, co-founder and general manager of the Artists' Bloc, joined the board of the DCAA in 2010. The Artists' Bloc is a collective of emerging and established artists united to support and challenge the creative process by encouraging cross disciplinary collaboration in the creation and development of new works. Thru residencies, workshops, showcases, and performances the Artists’ Bloc provides an environment where artists can explore their work through the active engagement of their peers and a diverse audience.
Bruce Taylor, Education Director for the National Opera, joined the DCAA board in 2010. Under the stewardship of General Director Plácido Domingo, Washington National Opera has achieved the stature of a world class company. Washington National Opera has earned its position through the number and quality of its new productions and by championing lesser known works of significant musical worth rarely presented on today's opera stages. It is committed to sustaining new American opera, presenting new works in crucial second productions to expand the operatic repertory.
Doug Mann, Board Chair for the Maryland Citizens for the Arts, joined the DCAA Advisory Board in 2009. Maryland Citizens for the Arts, Inc. is a statewide arts advocacy organization, founded in 1977 to represent all Maryland artists and arts organizations of all disciplines. Our principal mission is to promote adequate funding for the Maryland State Arts Council and to advocate for the arts at the state and federal levels. MCA’s advocacy services fall within two categories: educating (lobbying) state lawmakers about the arts and informing Maryland citizens about how they can support public arts funding.
DC Film Founder and executive director Jon Gann joined the DCAA Advisory Board in 2009. The DC Film Alliance (DCFA) serves and strengthens the media arts in the greater Washington DC region by bringing together filmmakers and the public to participate in diverse film, video, television, and multimedia events.
Ed Lazere, Founder and Executive Director of the DC Fiscal Policy Institute, joined the DCAA Advisory Board in 2009. The DC Fiscal Policy Institute conducts research and public education on budget and tax issues in the District of Columbia, with a particular emphasis on issues that affect low- and moderate-income residents. By preparing timely analyses that are used by policy makers, the media, and the public, DCFPI seeks to inform public debates on budget and tax issues and to ensure that the needs of lower-income residents are considered in those debates.
International Arts & Artists (IA&A) is a non-profit organization dedicated to increasing cross-cultural understanding and exposure to the arts internationally. IA&A’s services include a Traveling Exhibition Service, the Hillyer Art Space gallery, a Design Studio, the USArts International Training and Internship Program, and Membership Services for artists and the arts-interested public.
Jennifer Cover Payne, Executive Director of the Cultural Alliance of Greater Washington, joined the DCAA Advisory Board in 2009. The Cultural Alliance of Greater Washington is dedicated to sustaining and increasing regional leadership, appreciation, support, and resources for arts and culture. We build and nurture a regional network by enhancing the connection, collaboration, and conversation within the arts and cultural community and among business and other interest groups.
Chris Jennings, Managing Director of the Shakespeare Theatre Company joined the DCAA Advisory Board in 2009. Since its founding in 1985, the Shakespeare Theatre Company has endeavored to be the nation’s leading force in the presentation and preservation of classic theatre. Our core mission is to present classic theatre in an accessible, skillful, imaginative, American style that honors playwrights’ language and intentions while viewing their plays through a 21st-century lens.
Dorothy McSweeny, Board Chair of the Mid-Atlantic Arts Foundation, joined the DCAA Advisory Board in 2009. The Mid Atlantic Arts Foundation supports the richness and diversity of the region’s arts resources and promotes wider access to the art and artists of the region, nation and world. The Foundation serves the states and territories of Delaware, the District of Columbia, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, the US Virgin Islands, Virginia, and West Virginia.
E. Ethelbert Miller, Poet and Board Chair of the Institute for Policy Studies, joined the DCAA Advisory Board in 2009. The Institute for Policy Studies turns Ideas into Action for Peace, Justice and the Environment. We strengthen social movements with independent research, visionary thinking, and links to the grassroots, scholars and elected officials. Since 1963, we have empowered people to build healthy and democratic societies in communities, the US, and the world.
Wanda Aikens, Executive Director of Ward 7 Arts Collaborative, joined the DCAA Advisory Board in 2010. The mission of the Ward 7 Arts Collaborative is to foster awareness of, support for, and participation in the arts among community residents and visitors of all ages, and to preserve and enhance our local community's cultural and entertainment heritage.
