National Endowment for the Arts  
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National Council on the Arts Members

Joan Israelite (Kansas City, MO)

Joan Israelite is the President and CEO of the Arts Council of Metropolitan Kansas City, a position she has held since the local arts agency was founded in March 1999.

Prior to leading the arts council, Israelite was the Development Director for the Kansas City Symphony. From 1991 to 1996, she worked at the Lyric Opera as its Development Director. She also was the Development Director for the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Kansas City from1986 to1991 and the School Age Child Care Community Coordinator for the Heart of America Family Services from1983 to 1986.

Israelite's volunteer efforts have included board membership of the Greater Kansas City Convention and Visitors' Association, the Missouri Arts Council, and the Missouri Cultural Trust. She also served as the President of the National Society for Fundraising Executives and as a Peace Corps volunteer in Brazil.