Biography
As President and CEO of the African American Cultural Center of Greater Pittsburgh, Neil Barclay is responsible for the overall management of the AACC and related policy matters. He is a nationally respected leader and expert in African American culture, known for his innovative and provocative programming.
Experience
Mr. Barclay has over 30 years of experience in the arts, beginning with his work as a professional actor on the stage and in television. Mr. Barclay later moved into the realm of Arts Administration and education, by accepting a position as Manager of Music Performance Services and Lecturer in the Department of Theater at his alma mater, Loyola Marymount University.
He would later return to his alma mater to receive his law degree. His legal experience included clerking for the California Attorney General's office as well as the Writer's Guild of America before accepting a 5-year position as Associate Counsel of the Sunrider Corporation, a multi-national health food concern operating in 13 countries.
Mr. Barclay formally returned to the Arts when he set up his own practice specializing in non-profit law and became a consultant to the National Endowment for the Arts Advancement Program among other clients. This opportunity would lead him to become a sought after peer panelist for numerous foundations including the New England Foundation for the Arts, the Pew Charitable Trusts, The Lila Wallace Reader's Digest Fund, the Rockefeller Foundation and the Irvine Foundation.
In 1989, Mr. Barclay founded First Impressions Performances, a dance presenter specializing in the presentation of African American choreographers. During his tenure, he was elected Chairperson of the Steering Committee of the National Performance Network, an organization comprised of over 50 alternative artists spaces operating in over 20 states.
Retuning to his work in higher education, Barclay would become the Director of Marketing and Development for the first three seasons of the Harriet and Charles Luckman Fine Arts Complex at California State University while serving as a Visiting Professor at UCLA's Department of World Arts and Culture.
Until April of 2003, Neil served as the Associate Director of the University of Texas Performing Arts Center, a seven-venue multidisciplinary presenter of the performing arts.
Education
Mr. Barclay received his Bachelor's degree in Fine Arts from Loyola University, Los Angeles, was a Master of Fine Arts Fellow at Cornell University and received his law degree from Loyola Law School.
Professional Affiliations
Mr. Barclay serves on the Board of Directors of the Association of Performing Arts Presenters. He co-chaired the association's 41st Annual Conference and serves as a member of its Executive Committee in his capacity as chair of the Board Operations and Nominating Committee.
In Pittsburgh, Mr. Barclay serves on the Program Advisory Committee for the Pittsburgh Cultural Trust, the Education Committee for WQED Multimedia, the Advisory Board for the Pittsburgh Dance Council, and the Board of the Pittsburgh City Theatre.