Longtime arts supporter Liane Clasen appointed to the National Arts Centre Foundation Board

(Ottawa, Canada - November 26, 2009) Liane Clasen, a communications expert and longtime supporter of the performing arts in both the United States and her native Canada, has been named to the Board of Canada’Äôs National Arts Centre Foundation, the organization’Äôs fundraising arm.

’ÄúIt is an honour and a privilege to join the NAC Foundation Board,’Äù said Ms. Clasen from her home in Denver, Colorado. ’ÄúThe National Arts Centre is a national treasure and the Foundation’Äôs work is vital to a strong and dynamic performing arts centre. I look forward to helping strengthen support for the NAC to ensure its long-term vibrancy as well as that of the arts in Canada in general.’Äù

’ÄúI am pleased that Liane Clasen has joined our Board,’Äù said Gail O’ÄôBrien, Chair of the NAC Foundation. ’ÄúHer volunteer experience and philanthropic track record will be assets to our Foundation as we strive to transform Canada through the performing arts.’Äù

Liane Clasen has served as a Trustee on the Boards of several non-profit organizations involved in education, children, community development and the arts. Her work in these areas has focused primarily on Development, Marketing and Special Events.

Ms. Clasen was born in Canada and graduated with a master’Äôs degree from Carleton University. She began her career as a Special Assistant for the Minister of Justice in Ottawa. She then was named Director of Strategic Planning for the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. From there, she moved to California where she became vice president for New Market Development for Rogers Cablesystems and later served as senior vice president for TSN (The Sports Network).

While raising a family, Ms. Clasen remained active in her community, serving on the Board of Trustees of the Rancho Santa Fe Community Center, chairing their Development and Marketing Committees as well as their Annual Gala. She was also involved in work for the Orangewood Children’Äôs Home, Young Presidents Organization, Denver Academy and Opera Colorado.

In addition to the NAC Foundation, Ms. Clasen currently sits on two other active boards: Opera Colorado (where she co-chaired the Gala committee and was on the 2008 Steering Committee) and Denver Academy (as past chair of the Development Committee). Most recently, she was a Grand Marshall for National Jewish Health’Äôs Beaux Arts Ball.

The National Arts Centre Foundation was established in July 2000 and has raised more than $42 million for artistic and educational programming by the National Arts Centre. The Foundation’Äôs mission is to inspire individuals, corporations and foundations to invest in the National Arts Centre’Äôs vision of artistic innovation, development of young talent, and creation of new works, to benefit all Canadians.