Bill Summary – FastDemocracy

ENROLLED ORIGINAL

                              A CEREMONIAL RESOLUTION

                                           25-213

                  IN THE COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA

                                        May 7, 2024

To recognize Doug Yeuell for his leadership of the Atlas Performing Arts Center and his many

       contributions to the District’s arts community.

       WHEREAS, in August 2024, Mr. Yeuell will step down as the Executive Director of the

Atlas Performing Arts Center on the H Street NE corridor;

      WHEREAS, Mr. Yeuell’s dedication and longstanding commitment to artistic excellence

and community cultural enrichment has been evident throughout his career;

       WHEREAS, Mr. Yeuell is renowned for his achievements as a nonprofit executive in the

performing arts;

     WHEREAS, Mr. Yeuell fosters creativity, collaboration, and inclusivity within the arts

community;

       WHEREAS, Mr. Yeuell served as the Executive Director of Joy of Motion Dance Center

from 1989 to 2014, in which capacity he expanded the organization from a one-room studio to a

major player in the District’s arts scene with 3 locations;

        WHEREAS, Mr. Yeuell joined the Atlas in 2005, when Joy of Motion DC became the

Atlas’s first resident arts partner;

       WHEREAS, Mr. Yeuell has been an exemplary and visionary leader at the Atlas during

his decade-long tenure, leading a team of more than 50 full- and part-time staff and welcoming

more than 1,000 artists annually to the venue;

        WHEREAS, under Mr. Yeuell’s direction, the Atlas has introduced groundbreaking

programming like the Silent Film Series, Arts for Young Audiences, City at Peace, Jazz at the

Atlas, and the Atlas Arts Lab;

      WHEREAS, Mr. Yeuell spearheaded the launch of the renowned Intersections Festival,

showcasing thousands of artists and performing arts groups annually;

                                              1

                                                                    ENROLLED ORIGINAL

       WHEREAS, Mr. Yeuell has played an instrumental role in nurturing a talented staff,

enhancing the Atlas’s technological capacity, ensuring strong financial management of the

organization, and expanding its development efforts;

       WHEREAS, Mr. Yeuell has used made the Atlas a place where excellent art can inspire

exploration of ideas and fostering of inclusive community;

      WHEREAS, as the face of the Atlas, Mr. Yeuell has consistently advanced community and

economic development along the H Street NE corridor;

        WHEREAS, Mr. Yeuell has taught at many colleges and universities throughout the United

States, has been a guest teacher for Dance Masters of America, and has taught internationally in

Italy, Russia, and Austria;

        WHEREAS, Mr. Yeuell has served in leadership capacities for several arts organizations

in the region, including on the Board of Directors of the Capital Region Educators of Dance

Organization, the Grants Committee of the Arts and Humanities Council of Montgomery County,

the Arts and Entertainment Advisory Committee of the Bethesda Urban Partnership, Dance Metro

DC, Dance Bethesda, and CulturalDC;

         WHEREAS, Mr. Yeuell has been recognized for his exceptional leadership and artistic

talents, receiving the Alan M. Kriegsman Lifetime Achievement Award in 2008, the Pola Nirenska

Award for Lifetime Achievement in Dance in 2015, and the Fidelio Award for Leadership in Arts

Advocacy in 2018; and

        WHEREAS, the Council extends its heartfelt gratitude to Mr. Yeuell for his dedication to

the arts and the District.

        RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, That this

resolution may be cited as the “Doug Yeuell Recognition Resolution of 2024”.

       Sec. 2. The Council of the District of Columbia recognizes and honors Doug Yeuell for his

leadership of the Atlas Performing Arts Center and his many contributions to the District’s arts

community.

       Sec. 3. This resolution shall take effect immediately.

                                                2