LEXINGTON, Ky. (May 10, 2013) – The Kentucky Humanities Council, Inc. has named Albert Benjamin “Ben” Chandler III its new executive director.
A Kentucky native, and long-time supporter of the humanities and arts at the state and national level, Ben Chandler joins the Kentucky Humanities Council. As its chief executive, Chandler will build on the council’s success bringing humanities programs and services to communities throughout the commonwealth, while developing new and innovative ways to promote the public understanding of the humanities in Kentucky.
Kentucky Humanities Council services and programs, hosted by local organizations and schools, have reached more than 100,000 Kentuckians every year since 1972. The council has invested more than $14 million in sharing Kentucky’s stories with the people of the commonwealth.
“I have a deep and abiding love for the humanities and, in particular, for Kentucky’s rich and varied story — past, present, and future,” said Chandler. “As a lifelong Kentuckian and a keen student of Kentucky’s history, culture, and people, it is an honor to serve in this capacity.”
Chandler comes to the council after a 21-year career in Kentucky politics. During his tenure in the House of Representatives, Chandler was a four-year member of the House Subcommittee on Interior Appropriations, which oversees the budget for the National Endowment for the Humanities. From February 2004 through January 2013 Chandler served in the U.S. House of Representatives for Kentucky’s 6th District. Prior to his work as a Congressman he was the 48th Attorney General of Kentucky (1996-2004) and the 45th Kentucky State Auditor (1992-1995).
Chandler graduated with distinction from the University of Kentucky with a B.A. in history and a J.D. from the University of Kentucky College of Law. Chandler opened a private law practice before beginning his career in politics.
“With his passion for the history and culture of the commonwealth and his knowledge of Kentucky and its people, Ben Chandler is the perfect fit for the Kentucky Humanities Council,” said board chairman Bill Francis. “We look forward to a bright future for the Council with Ben as our executive director.”
Chandler will succeed Dr. Virginia G. Carter, who has served as the Council’s Executive Director since 1989. Carter will retire in August. Chandler will officially begin working with the council on July 1.
Located in Lexington, the Kentucky Humanities Council, Inc. is a non-profit Kentucky corporation affiliated with the National Endowment for the Humanities. It is not a state agency.
For information about the council’s programs and services, including Kentucky Chautauqua, Chautauqua in the Schools, Prime Time Family Reading Time, Speakers Bureau and Kentucky Humanities magazine, visit www.kyhumanities.org.
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