Dansky Named Executive Director, ARA
• The Artist Rights Alliance (ARA), an artist-run, non-profit organization fighting for songwriters and musicians in the modern music economy, announced that former longtime Viacom VP Stacey Dansky has been named Executive Director, succeeding Ted Kalo, who will remain engaged with the ARA in an advisory role.
Dansky has been plugged into copyright affairs and creator rights issues in D.C. for the past decade, most recently as Vice President, Government Relations at Viacom, Inc. Prior to that, she served as Chief Copyright Counsel on the House Judiciary Committee, drafting legislation to establish a public performance right in sound recordings and identifying copyright issues to bring before the committee.
“ARA’s greatest strengths are its artist-led Board and its hard-earned reputation as a trusted and effective voice for the music industry’s songwriters and performers,” Dansky noted. “In recent years the ARA has proven its ability to organize broad coalitions by elevating the voices of working artists. I’m excited to carry on that tradition and to expand our work into vital areas including arts education and COVID-19 relief. The issues on which the ARA is focused have never been more urgent. Along with our partners and peers in the creative community, we have much to do.”
Board member Rosanne Cash commented, “I look forward to Stacey’s creative guidance through the next phase of growth for the Artist Rights Alliance. It’s a critical time for setting the future for young musicians, and we want to leave a legacy of protection and stewardship. Stacey is enthusiastic, curious, and brings her wide experience and expertise to a leadership role in our mission.”
Outgoing Executive Director Ted Kalo remarked, “Stacey is an incredibly talented person, with a wealth of knowledge about law, policy, and politics; a love for music; and a demonstrated passion for artist rights. The Artist Rights Alliance is unquestionably in good hands, and along with its exceptional Board leadership, by artists and for artists, the organization could not be better positioned to tackle the challenges ahead.”
