November 18, 2025 — New York, NY – 4A Arts (American Alliance of Artists and Audiences) is proud to announce the expansion of its Board of Directors with the addition of internationally recognized arts executive and advocate Alison M. Friedman. This board expansion is a reflection of the ambitious growth 4A Arts anticipates as it expands its programming to transform arts consumers into arts advocates.
“After directing cultural exchange and creative projects around the world, I have seen how creativity strengthens communities and enhances education worldwide. 4A Arts has tremendous potential to elevate the value of creativity in everyday life,” said Ms. Friedman. “I’m eager to help make that case to leaders nationwide.”
“This marks a turning point for our organization,” said Board Chair Luis R. Cancel. “We’re evolving from a founder’s board into a strategic growth board. Ms. Friedman brings vision, energy, and real-world experience that will help 4A Arts amplify creativity’s role in American life.”
“4A Arts is pioneering a national effort to make creativity a civic priority,” said Executive Director Gavin Lodge. “With Ms. Friedman on our board, we’re expanding our reach, strengthening partnerships, and building an interdisciplinary movement to ensure the arts are recognized as essential to American wellbeing.”
Ms. Friedman serves as the James and Susan Moeser executive and artistic director for Carolina Performing Arts at UNC Chapel Hill. In 2025, UNC-CH Chancellor Lee Roberts appointed her North Carolina’s arts ambassador and his advisor on the arts. Prior to joining Carolina Performing Arts, Friedman was artistic director of performing arts for the West Kowloon Cultural District in Hong Kong, one of the world’s largest arts and cultural developments. Previously she founded and ran Ping Pong Productions, a US- and Beijing-registered cultural exchange organization that works in more than 50 countries on five continents. She was a 2002-03 Fulbright Scholar to China and a fellow at the National Committee on U.S.-China Relations Public Intellectuals Program.
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