ISSUE Project Room, Brooklyn’s leading avant-garde presenter, is pleased to welcome Tom van den Bout, community leader and partner at NV/design architecture, as new Board Chair.
"It's an honor to serve as chair for such a wonderful board and such a vital and important performing arts organization. This is an exciting time at ISSUE. Our move to the historic theater at 22 Boerum Place, the impending renovation of the space, the growth of our audience, and connection to a new neighborhood will create new opportunities for our organization and the artists we support,” says van den Bout, who has served on the ISSUE Project Room Board of Directors since 2011.
Van den Bout is an architect and a founding partner in NV/design.architecture in New York City. Previous to opening his own firm in 1995, he worked for Steven Holl Architects, Tod Williams & Billie Tsien Associates, Kohn Pedersen Fox, and Michael Gabellini, among others. A resident of Brooklyn Heights with his wife Brenda Nelson since 1991, he comes to ISSUE with a strong background in service to the community. As past President of the Board of Governors of the Brooklyn Heights Association (BHA) for three years, and Board Member for more than twelve years, his work with the BHA focused on the development of Brooklyn Bridge Park, preservation, and the BHA's centennial. Van den Bout has also served on the boards of the Dodge YMCA, Prospect Park's Audubon Center, and as Chair of the Landmark Committee of Brooklyn Community Board 2.
Van den Bout's election follows four years of leadership by Steve Wax, partner at Campfire media and founder of Cine Manifest and Chelsea Pictures. During his term, Wax guided ISSUE's transition through the passing of its Founder Suzanne Fiol in 2009, the 2010 appointment of Executive Director Ed Patuto, its growth from a $122,000 organization in 2008 to a $727,000 institution, and the organization’s 2012 move from the Gowanus to Downtown Brooklyn.
“We are delighted to welcome Tom as our new Board Chair. He has been a phenomenal addition to our board,” says Wax, who will continue to serve on the ISSUE Project Room Board to spearhead deeper engagement of the business community; "Tom brings essential skills to this next important period in ISSUE Project Room's history." Van den Bout will see ISSUE through its first full season at its new home in the historic theater at 22 Boerum Place, renovations scheduled to begin in June 2013, and continued expansion of its Board of Directors, audience, and cultural partners.
In addition to van den Bout’s appointment, the Board elected consultant Jeanne Lutfy (former President of the BAM Local Development Corporation) as Vice Chair, and David Sims of Lever and Beam, LLC. as Treasurer.
ISSUE Project Room also welcomes new Board Member Marcus Brauer, of Russell Reynolds Associates, Inc. Brauer is the third new board member to be added in the past year, joining new members Karen Auster of Auster Agency, and David Sims.
“On behalf of the entire ISSUE community, we are deeply grateful for the extraordinary leadership and dedication that Steve has provided. We look forward to continuing to work with him. With the addition of our new Board members and the election of Tom as Chair, ISSUE is deepening its roots in the communities surrounding Downtown Brooklyn, which is key to our future success,” says Executive Director Ed Patuto.