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PLEASANTVILLE, N.Y. The Jacob Burns Film Center announced Monday that film director and producer Steven Spielberg has joined its Board of Directors.
"For the past 10 years our goal has been to transform education to equip children to succeed in the digitally and globally-connected 21st century. It is very gratifying that Steven Spielberg not only recognizes the importance of our work but wants to join us in redefining literacy in America," Stephen Apkon, founder and executive director of the Jacob Burns Film Center, said in a press release.
In September, Spielberg was given the Jacob Burns Film Center's 2011 Vision Award as part of its 10 year anniversary celebration. A ceremony was held at the film center for the Academy Award winning filmmaker that honored his lifelong achievements in the film industry.
In a statement released by the film center, Spielberg said how excited he was to be on the Board of Directors.
"What makes the JBFC different from every other well-intentioned organization that brings community and film together is its educational outreach to under-resourced schools," Spielberg said in the statement. "They reach so deeply into the community to give kids a chance to find themselves early on and before it's too late, because that's all the kids really want. I am thrilled to be on the Board and look forward to the work we will do together."
The Jacob Burns Film Center's Board of Directors is an integral part of the center's film education programs that have taught more than 75,000 students across the region. The board currently features Apkon, Academy Award winning director Ron Howard and New York Times Film Critic Janet Maslin, among others.
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