President George W. Bush has announced his intent to nominate Miguel Campaneria, Artistic Director of Balleteatro Nacional de Puerto Rico, to serve on the National Council on the Arts, the advisory body of the National Endowment for the Arts. Campaneria's nomination will be sent to the Senate for confirmation.
"Miguel Campaneria's nomination continues our tradition of having legendary artists from the dance world as members of the National Council," said NEA Chairman Dana Gioia. "His expertise and international experience will be enormously beneficial to the Arts Endowment. He has been in great demand as a guest artist, teacher, and choreographer, and we are delighted to welcome him to the Council."
Campaneria, the first Council nominee from a Puerto Rican arts organization, has danced with a number of companies, including the Pennsylvania Ballet, the Harkness Ballet, American Ballet Theatre, and as a principal dancer with the Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre. He joins a distinguished group of dance leaders who have served on the National Council on the Arts, among these are Martha Graham, Judith Jamison, Trisha Brown, and Robert Joffrey.
When confirmed, Campaneria will replace outgoing Council member Gerard Schwarz, Music Director of the Seattle Symphony. Campaneria will serve on the Council for a six-year term, until 2012.
