James Haskin Appointed To New Cultural Advisory Council

James Haskins, Managing Director of The Wilma Theater, has been appointed to Philadelphia Mayor Michael A. Nutter's newly formed Cultural Advisory Council. A leader in the Philadelphia theater community, Haskins was selected from over two hundred applications and recommendations from leaders in the arts and culture community. Over forty council members were selected to advise Mayor Nutter and Chief Cultural Officer Gary Steuer as they develop a comprehensive arts and culture strategy for the City of Philadelphia.

"We have gathered an incredibly talented group of leaders from the arts and culture community to help us as we develop, nurture, and promote the arts in Philadelphia," said Mayor Nutter in his official press release to announce the council members. "The overwhelming response to the announcement of this advisory council demonstrates the enthusiasm and commitment of people in Philadelphia to the arts."

James Haskins joined the staff of The Wilma Theater as Managing Director in June 2006. He began his work in theater administration as Box Office Manager of Circle Repertory Company and went on to work with a number of New York theaters, including National Shakespeare Company, Symphony Space, Provincetown Playhouse, Actor's Playhouse, Triplex Performing Arts Center and Astor Place Theatre. In Seattle, he served as Business Manager of Seattle Group Theatre and worked for Ticket/Ticket, Seattle's half-price ticket booth. In 1999, Mr. Haskins moved to Philadelphia and worked as Managing Director of InterAct Theatre Company, while also serving for three years on the Board of the Theatre Alliance of Greater Philadelphia as Chair of the Barrymore Awards Oversight Committee. He later moved into the Executive Director position of the Theatre Alliance and once again serves on the Board. Also an actor and director, he holds an MFA from the University of Washington and a BA from the College of Wooster (Ohio), where he currently serves as President of his alumni class. Mr. Haskins is honored to serve on Mayor Nutter's Cultural Advisory Council.

"I am extremely excited about the appointment of this strong and diverse group of leaders who will provide invaluable advice and counsel to me and the Mayor as we all work together to foster a vibrant Philadelphia filled with arts, culture, heritage and creativity-driven business," said Gary Steuer.

The primary role of the Mayor's Cultural Advisory Council is to:
- Provide advice and counsel to the Mayor when requested on arts and culture issues;
- Mobilize support from the arts and culture community for the implementation of the Mayor's vision for the arts;
- Assist Gary Steuer as needed in accomplishing the goals and objectives for the Office of Arts, Culture and the Creative Economy; and
- Create an environment in which the various arts stakeholders can interact with each other and become unified on behalf of their common goals and objectives.

 

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