L.M.C.C. names new prez

Sam Miller, a long-time advocate for the arts, has been appointed president of the Lower Manhattan Cultural Council, the not-for-profit organization producing cultural events and providing grants, services and programs for the arts in Lower Manhattan for 37 years.

Miller, who takes over the L.M.C.C. presidency this month, has been president for the past five years of Leveraging Investments in Creativity (LINC), a national initiative increasing direct support of artists in all fields and improving public policy on the arts. He will continue as LINC board president.

Miller previously was executive director of the New England Foundation for the Arts where he pioneers programs like the National Dance Project and the Favorite Poem Project with Robert Pinsky, the U.S. Poet Laureate from 1997-2000.

Before the New England Foundation, Miller was managing director at the Jacob’s Pillow Dance Festival, working with Liz Thompson, former L.M.C.C. executive director. In 2009, Miller founded OAM Company, an arts consulting and producing organization.

L.M.C.C. board chair Cherrie Nanniga announced the appointment on Wednesday, June 30, saying she was looking forward to Miller’s leading the next phase in L.M.C.C. growth. Vice chair of the L.M.C.C. board, Timur Galen, paid tribute to Miller’s record of community-building and leadership. Miller said he was looking forward to working with L.M.C.C. staff and board members on advancing the work of the organization.

— Albert Amateau