Luis R. Cancel, Director of Cultural Affairs

Mr. Cancel has a distinguished 25-year career in the arts and public service. He was the first Latino to lead New York City's Department of Cultural Affairs, and directed the Bronx Museum of Art for 14 years. Most recently, he was Executive Director of the Clemente Soto Vélez Cultural & Educational Center in New York City where he raised millions of dollars and expanded the center's profile. Mr. Cancel has been a guest lecturer at several prestigious national and international museums and universities including Yale, Harvard, Princeton and Central University of Caracas. He has a wealth of art and curatorial experience, including researching Latin American art as a National Endowment for the Arts fellow. He has been at the forefront of urging cultural organizations to utilize the internet and new media to reach new audiences. He holds Master of Arts degrees in Museum Management/Arts Administration from New York University and in Public Administration from Harvard University.