press room

For Immediate Release

Washington DC – December 10, 2003 – Americans for the Arts announces the election of Allan Cowen and Jeanie P. Duncan to its United Arts Funds Council.

The United Arts Funds Council advises the Board of Americans for the Arts about the development of programs, publications, and services that are designed to meet the needs of the nation’s more than 70 united arts funds.  These organizations raise unrestricted money on behalf of three or more arts organizations via a combined appeal to their communities.  Council members also provide peer-to-peer assistance on the improvement of existing united arts funds and the development of new ones.

“In these hard economic times, we look forward to the knowledge and expertise that both Allan Cowen and Jeanie Duncan bring to the United Arts Funds Council,” stated Robert Lynch, president and CEO of Americans for the Arts.  “Expanding private sector support, with an emphasis on workplace giving, is essential to the survival of many of our nation’s nonprofit arts organizations, and we’re pleased to have two people with such excellent track records adding their voices to the Council.”

Allan Cowen is the president & CEO of the Fund for the Arts in Louisville, Kentucky, where he has served since 1976.  Under his stewardship, the Fund raised more than $7.6 million in 2003.  Cowen is a recipient of the highest award given to leaders of united arts funds—Americans for the Arts’ Michael Newton Award for excellence in united arts fundraising.  He has served as an arts consultant to the governments of several countries, as well as to arts agencies and organizations in a number of states. 

Jeanie P. Duncan is the president & CEO of the United Arts Council in Greensboro, North Carolina.  In this role, she oversees the Council, a $2 million arts leadership organization that advocates and develops resources for numerous arts organizations, artists, and teachers annually.  A North Carolina native, Duncan has worked in the nonprofit arts and culture sector for 13 years in North Carolina and Florida.  She serves on the boards of both local and statewide organizations representing the arts and other community initiatives.

Americans for the Arts is the leading nonprofit organization for advancing the arts in America. With offices in Washington, DC, and New York City, it has a 40-year record of service. Americans for the Arts is dedicated to representing and serving local communities and creating opportunities for every American to participate in and appreciate all forms of the arts. Additional information is available at www.AmericansForTheArts.org.

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