NANCY ARAKI RETIRES AS THE DIRECTOR OF COMMUNITY AFFAIRS AT THE JAPANESE AMERICAN NATIONAL MUSEUM

Los Angeles – Nancy Araki, Director of Community Affairs at the Japanese American National Museum (JANM) retired on September 30, 2013 after twenty-eight years of groundbreaking work and dedication to the National Museum.

Since its earliest days, JANM has been under the thoughtful, visionary guidance of Nancy Araki. She was the first hired employee at the National Museum in 1985. Before JANM was established, Nancy was there as the dreams were being formed, and has been with the institution every step of the way as the dream became a reality. For many who know her, Nancy is the “behind-the-scenes” face of JANM, planning and making connections throughout our community.

To this day, Nancy continues to stress the importance of JANM and its relationship to the community. “The principle that has always been at the National Museum’s core is the notion that it is people who make it successful – whether it’s volunteers, staff members, donors, leadership, scholars, members, or visitors. All that we did as an institution was guided by the synergy of working as a team. From its inception, even before we were ready to go nationally, we believed in that collective model, and it’s what makes the National Museum a great place,” states Nancy.

One of the critical components of JANM’s work has been to provide ways to bring people together in dialogue, in partnership, and in forging new ground. Over the years, Nancy has helped produce major events that have been especially significant in JANM’s program and community development, including The Family Expo in 1994; the first International Nikkei Symposium, which was an important forerunner to the International Nikkei Research Project; and a number of important reunions, such as the reunion of the 552nd Field Artillery Battalion and anniversary of the liberation of Dachau.

"Nancy's contribution to the National Museum is immeasurable. Her hard work and, frankly, her love for the institution have seen it through thick and thin. It goes without saying that the National Museum would not be what it is today without her. Future generations will owe her a great debt of gratitude, when they look at her role in the preservation and promotion of the Japanese American story. Even after Nancy's official retirement, I will no doubt continue to seek her advice,” states Dr. Greg Kimura, President and CEO of the Japanese American National Museum.

Nancy will still be connected to JANM, and plans on continuing her support as a volunteer. A retirement reception for Nancy is planned for Sunday, October 20, 2013, 12:30 – 4 p.m. at the JANM’s Aratani Central Hall. To attend this special event, RSVP to event4nancy@janm.org or call (213) 625-0414, extension 2219 by Thursday, October 17.

The National Museum will continue its efforts to collaborate, connect with, and serve the community in the same spirit and vitality that Nancy has impressed on JANM over the course of nearly three decades.

About the Japanese American National Museum
The Japanese American National Museum is dedicated to fostering greater understanding and appreciation for America’s ethnic and cultural diversity by preserving and telling the stories of Americans of Japanese ancestry. Since its incorporation in 1985, the National Museum has grown into an internationally recognized institution, presenting award-winning exhibitions, groundbreaking traveling exhibits, educational public programs, innovative video documentaries, and cutting-edge curriculum guides.
www.janm.org