WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO BE AN AMERICAN?

Each week, this series will introduce you to an exceptional American who unites, rather than divides, our communities. To read more about the American profiled here and more average Americans doing exceptional things, visit onenation.usatoday.com. What does it mean to you to be an American? To be an American means I am a citizen. Originally being from the U.K., I was a subject. But I’m a citizen here, and I get to participate in every facet of life, political life, and I can vote for the dogcatcher to the president. Being a citizen was something that was very important to me. What moment touched and motivated you to launch this effort? What motivated me to be part of the Museum of Wisconsin Art was to get in on the opportunity to give Wisconsin its own museum that focuses on the art and artists of Wisconsin. To be a part of bringing that to not just the people of Wisconsin but also to be part of bringing that to a national audience as well was just a tremendous opportunity. What gives you hope or what concerns you? What concerns me I think is the political division and a coarsening of culture. But what gives me hope is the role an institution such as the Museum of Wisconsin Art can do. I think museums provide more unity than division. It also provides an elevation of culture rather than a coarsening of culture.