Joan White Harris

Background

Harris, Joan White was born on March 9, 1931 in New Haven. Daughter of Louis and Martha (Rahm) White.

Education

Bachelor, Smith College, 1952. Degree (honorary), Knox College, 1996. Degree (honorary), University Illinois, Chicago, 2001.

Degree (honorary), Erikson Institute, 2002.

Career

Editorial assistant Oxford University Press, New York City, 1952-1953, Encyclopedia British, Chicago, 1953-1954. Television producer, 1976, 1978, 1980. President Chicago Opera Theater, 1977—1984, chair, 1984—1987.

Trustee Harris Foundation, since 1976. Panelist and consultant National Education Association, 1980—1985. Chair national board Aspen Music Festival, Colorado, 1998—2002, chair board trustees, 2002—2005, trustee, 1990—2008, honorary trustee, since 2008.

Member advisory board United States China Arts Exchange, 1985—1993.

Membership

Board director/trustee Museum Contemporary Art, Chicago, 1976-2000, vice chairman, 1989-1997, Hampshire College, Amherst, Massachusetts, 1977-1984, Chicago Symphony Orchestra, since 1978, National Institute Music Theater, Washington, 1982-1987, Indiana Sector, Washington, 1983-1989. President Illinois Art Alliance, 1990-1997, Harris Theater for Music and Dance, since 1993, chairman, since 2004. Trustee Columbia College, 1994-2002, Juilliard School, since 2005.

Board director Illinois Center Book, 1990-1994, Northwestern Program Performing Artists, 1986-1990, American Council Arts, 1990-1996, National Cultural Alliance, 1991-1996, Sculpture Chicago, 1991-1996, Chicago Institute Architecture & Urbanism, 1992-1994. Commissioner cultural affairs City of Chicago, 1987-1989, National Public Radio, 1991-1997, Young Women's Leadership School of Chicago, since 1999. Member People American Way, since 2000, American Friends, Israel Philharmonic Orchestra, 1993-2005.

Connections

Married Gerald Baumann Frank, February 12, 1953 (divorced 1974).; married Irving Brooks Harris, June 19, 1974. Children: Daniel Bruce, Jonathan White, Louise Blanche.

Father:

Louis White

Mother:

Martha (Rahm) White

Spouse:

Irving Brooks Harris

Spouse:

Gerald Baumann Frank

child:

Daniel Bruce Harris

child:

Jonathan White Harris

child:

Louise Blanche Harris