The Rhode Island State Senate yesterday confirmed the appointment by Governor Donald L. Carcieri of three new members to the board of the Rhode Island State Council on the Arts. These individuals join the thirteen-member governing body of the State Arts Council, the state agency responsible for support of the arts in communities throughout the state.
Confirmed by the Senate were Dana Neugent of Ashaway; Jean Rondeau of Woonsocket; and David M. Wax of Providence. They replace outgoing Council members Anne Quinterno of Providence; Margaret Melozzi of Tiverton; and Christopher McMahan of Providence.
In addition the Senate confirmed the reappointment to the State Arts Council of Douglas Bennett of North Smithfield.
Dana Neugent is the Media Supervisor at the URI/Feinstein Providence Campus and an Adjunct Assistant Professor in the URI Film Media Studies Program. Dana has been in the film/video business for over 25 years working at ABC, CBS, Colony Communications and various production companies and cable systems throughout New England. He has worked on commercials, marketing videos, educational videos, documentaries, news stories and short and feature length films.
Dana is currently on the Board of Directors for the Rhode Island Film Collaborative. Dana has won numerous national and regional awards for his film and video work. He was recently awarded the 2009 Metcalf Diversity in Media Award by Rhode Island Community for Social Justice.
Dana received a Bachelors of Arts degree from the University of Rhode Island in 1974. Born in Westerly, Rhode Island he currently lives in Ashaway.
Jean Rondeau is President of Atlantic Bar Code Systems, Inc.. Prior to establishing ABCS, Inc. in 1991, Jean served as Product Marketing Manager of the Information, Tracking And Control Systems (INTACS) product line for Avery-Dennison Inc., a fortune 100 company. Jean has also served on the Woonsocket Zoning Board of Review both as member and President and as a commissioner with the RI Historic Preservation Commission. Jean is currently a member of the board of the Employees Retirement System of Rhode Island. Jean has been actively involved with the restoration, business development and ongoing operation of the Stadium Theatre PAC since 1996; activities include Chairman of Program (events) Committee, Chairman of Phase I building committee, Treasurer, House Manager and Executive Director from 2004 to 2006. Jean holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Business Administration from Johnson and Wales University and lives in Woonsocket with his spouse Lorraine. Jean has one son, Navy Chief Warrant Officer Michael, his wife Tiffany and their son Nicholas and daughter Jenna, all of Suffolk County, VA.
David M. Wax, Executive Director of the Rhode Island Philharmonic from 2001-2008, has more than 30 years of experience in orchestra management. Under the direction of Mr. Wax, the Rhode Island Philharmonic developed a strategic plan, increased the size and age range of the audience for orchestral performances of classical music, further developed the Philharmonic’s broad-based concert program to include the Rush Hour series, and greatly expanded educational and community partnership activities. Prior to coming to the Philharmonic, Mr. Wax held senior management positions with the North Carolina Symphony, the Pittsburgh Symphony, the Sacramento Symphony, and the Minnesota Orchestra and served as Executive Director of the Houston Symphony from 1987 to 2000. The Houston Symphony is a 97 musician full-time orchestra with an annual operating budget in excess of $20 million. Working in close cooperation with Music Director Christoph Eschenbach, Mr. Wax led the Houston Symphony into national and international prominence in a period of unprecedented artistic and financial growth. Mr. Wax has served as chair and secretary of the group of managers of America’s 20 largest budget orchestras and as a Board member of the American Symphony Orchestra League. Mr. Wax works as an arts management consultant, currently under contracts with the Boston Philharmonic Orchestra and Musica Dolce, and serves on the Boards of the Gamm Theatre and Rhode Island Citizens for the Arts. Mr. Wax holds a Ph.D. degree in political science from Harvard University.
The RHODE ISLAND STATE COUNCIL ON THE ARTS is a state agency supported by appropriations from the Rhode Island General Assembly and grants from the National Endowment for the Arts, a federal agency. RISCA provides grants, technical assistance and staff support to arts organizations and artists, schools, community centers, social service organizations and local governments to bring the arts into the lives of Rhode Islanders.