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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

September 22, 2014
Cultural Access Washington
www.culturalaccesswa.org
Contact: Graham Mills
graham@artsfund.org

 

Cultural Access Washington Appoints Joy Langley as Executive Director

SEATTLE, WA — Cultural Access Washington announced the appointment of Joy Langley as Executive Director.  Langley will join the organization this September to lead the legislative effort forward to provide unprecedented access to science, heritage and arts experiences across the state.  A native of Yakima, Washington, Langley holds a Masters in Political Management from the George Washington University.  She brings nearly 20 years of professional political campaign experience to Cultural Access Washington, and she is well-positioned to help lead the Coalition forward. In her previous role as Director of Government Relations with the National Council for Community and Education Partnerships (NCCEP), Langley skillfully built a coalition comprised of U.S. Government Agencies, Members of Congress, and Political Appointees to promote increased funding for the GEAR UP Grant Program (Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs).  The coalition’s efforts were successful, and led to increased funding for this program by more than $30 Million.

Cultural Access Washington is an alliance of business, non-profit, educational, labor and government leaders across the state supporting legislation that will enable local communities to more easily connect citizens with cultural organizations and educational programs. This broad alliance of leaders have deep experience in how access to science, heritage and arts experiences advances education, enhances the economy, enriches our quality of life and strengthens our communities. Communities that are home to vibrant cultural organizations are more competitive for higher paying jobs and high quality workers, and enjoy greater economic prosperity.

Langley will lead a state-wide legislative effort for the 2015 session and brings a broad spectrum of experience and passion for cultural organizations and programs to be an effective leader for the Coalition.  As Chair of Washington National Opera’s “Generation O” Program – the home for young professional patrons of the opera – Langley sought to increase the visibility and accessibility of opera in an effort to develop a new tradition of giving among young professionals.  “I am thrilled to join this dynamic coalition at this critical juncture.  All citizens benefit when we support funding for and access to our cultural organizations and programs, and I am honored to support the mission of Cultural Access Washington,” said Langley.

In a message to Cultural Access Washington Coalition Members announcing Langley’s appointment, the Hiring Committee shared this statement: “With extensive experience as a political consultant, Joy is well-versed in the legislative process and in the management of campaigns. She’s goal-oriented and has a personal commitment to seeing cultural organizations flourish in Washington. Those qualities make her a great choice as our new Executive Director.”

 

The goal of Cultural Access Washington is to increase access to cultural experiences (from arts organizations to science centers museums and zoos) for children and adults across the State. If successful, cultural education programs for students and residents would be widely available, and school transportation would be provided to these experiences. Studies show that students who are engaged in cultural activities excel in school, are more creative problem-solvers, and are more comfortable working in diverse communities.

To learn more about Cultural Access Washington, visit www.culturalaccesswa.org, or contact Graham Mills at graham@artsfund.org.