New York, NY (March 25, 2024) – Committee of 100, a non-profit organization of prominent Chinese Americans, today announced that world-renowned choreographer, artist and director Shen Wei will receive the Committee of 100 Leadership in the Arts award at Committee of 100’s forthcoming Conference & Gala on April 19.
This year, Committee of 100 is doubling the number of curated sessions with three general sessions and two concurrent tracks – one on U.S.-China issues and the other on Asian American issues.
Each year, at the conclusion of Committee of 100’s Conference, a black-tie celebratory Gala takes place where exemplary individuals and organizations who have made significant contributions in and around the AAPI community are recognized. The Gala traditionally draws hundreds of distinguished academics, policymakers, businesses, and next-generation leaders from across the U.S. capping off the annual Committee of 100 event.
Along with Shen Wei, the Gala on April 19 will feature special musical performances by The Tianjin Juilliard School CEO and Artistic Director Wei He, Pre-College alumnus Yuchan (Melissa) Li, and the renowned Shanghai Quartet.
The Leadership in the Arts award is given to the person or company who showcases innovation and influence within the field of arts. This award acknowledges those who have made significant contributions to the arts community, whether through their artistic achievements, cultural impact, philanthropy, or leadership roles in arts organizations.
Hailed as “one of the most expansive, creative minds in the arts” (Pia Catton, The New York Sun), choreographer, director, and painter Shen Wei is internationally renowned for the breadth and scope of his artistic vision. Admiration for his talent has earned Shen Wei numerous awards, including a 2007 MacArthur “Genius” Award, the US Artists Fellow award, and a John Simon Guggenheim Fellowship.
Born in China’s Hunan province in 1968, the son of Chinese opera professionals, Shen Wei was trained from youth in the rigorous practice of Chinese opera performance and traditional Chinese ink painting and calligraphy and was a performer with the Hunan State Xian Opera Company from 1984 to 1989. In 1991, at the age of 23, he became a founding member of the Guangdong Modern Dance Company, the first such company in China. Upon receipt of a fellowship, he moved to New York City in 1995 to study with the Nikolais/Louis Dance Lab and, in the same year, was invited to create work at the American Dance Festival. In July 2000, he founded Shen Wei Dance Arts (SWDA) and his company quickly entered the international touring circuit.
In 2022, Shen Wei was awarded the American Dance Festival, the Samuel H. Scripps/American Dance Festival Award for Lifetime Achievement in Choreography and the International Society for The Performing Arts’s Distinguished Artist Award.
Visit the Committee of 100 conference website for more information, the full agenda and to register.
Contact Committee of 100 at conference@committee100.org with any questions.
Media interested in attending the event can contact the Marcomms Department of Committee of 100 at info@committee100.org.
Sponsorship opportunities are still available by contacting sponsorship@committee100.org.
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About Committee of 100
Committee of 100 is a non-profit U.S. leadership organization of prominent Chinese Americans in business, government, academia, healthcare, and the arts focused on public policy engagement, civic engagement, and philanthropy. For over 30 years, Committee of 100 has served as a preeminent organization committed to the dual missions of promoting the full participation of Chinese Americans in all aspects of American life and constructive relations between the United States and Greater China. Visit https://www.committee100.org.
Contacts:
Charles Zinkowski
Sr. Director of Marketing & Communications
czinkowski@committee100.org
Sam Jones
Manager of PR & Social Media
sjones@committee100.org
