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| National Jazz Museum: New Chairman of the Board of Directors The National Jazz Museum in Harlem names Arthur H. Barnes chairman of the museum's board of directors, effective immediately. Barnes, who served most recently as co-chair with Abraham D. Sofaer, is proud to lead the museum board in the next phase of the organization's growth. “I'm very pleased to assume a leadership position at the National Jazz Museum in Harlem.” says Barnes. “It is a challenge that can only be met with the full commitment of the museum's board of directors and I'm sure I can count on that.” Barnes's appointment comes at a crucial stage in the museum's development. While searching for a permanent home, the dedicated staff - Executive Director Loren Schoenberg, Co-Director Christian McBride, and Program Coordinator Wilhelmina Grant - created several years of free public programming to build community support and audience awareness. These programs now attract several thousand people annually. In November 2007, the Jazz Museum's long search for a physical home was realized. Danforth Development Partners, the group selected to renovate the Victoria Theatre, designated over 10,000 square feet to house the Jazz Museum. “Arthur Barnes, a long-time supporter of the National Jazz Museum, is perfectly positioned to lead the fundraising necessary to build a museum representing the best of jazz history right here in Harlem, where so much of that grand legacy was born and bred,” says Schoenberg. “Not only is he a Harlemite himself, but his many decades of experience within the nonprofit field will substantially benefit the museum and the Harlem community.” Arthur H. Barnes has been HIP Health Plan of New York's senior vice president for external affairs and corporate contributions since 1993. His primary responsibility is to promote the health and well-being of the diverse communities that make up New York City. Through him, HIP provides grants, scholarships, contributions, sponsorships and in-kind services to nonprofit organizations striving to improve the quality of life for New York City residents. For almost 20 years before joining HIP, Mr. Barnes was president and CEO of the New York Urban Coalition. From 1972 to 1975, he was vice president for mediation services at the Institute for Mediation and Conflict Resolution. Prior to that, he had a 21-year association with Consolidated Mutual Insurance Companies, where he started his career as a file clerk and worked his way up to become vice president of administration. Throughout his career, Mr. Barnes has served on numerous volunteer boards. He was a founding member of the New York City Partnership, Associated Black Charities, and Black Agency Executives. He is former president of One Hundred Black Men, Inc., and Black Agency Executives. He is former chairman of the board of governors for the Jazz and Contemporary Music Program at New School University, and currently vice-president of the board of directors of the Police Athletic League. “Since our selection as part of the Victoria Theater development, our goal of a home for the National Jazz Museum in Harlem is coming into view.” said Barnes. “But with every opportunity comes tremendous responsibility. We must launch a capital campaign to meet the obligations inherent in being selected to occupy space in the cultural center of the Victoria Theater. The campaign objective will be to raise $10 million. I'm looking forward to developing the resources to meet that goal. The only way we will do it is with the public's participation through foundation grants, corporate contributions and other fundraising mechanisms, including government resources, and I believe we're up to the task.” Former chairman Abraham D. Sofaer is the museum board's vice-chairman, and Leonard Garment remains its chairman emeritus. write your comments about the article :: © 2007 Jazz News :: home page |