Tayyaba
Travis Knight, son of Nike co-founder Phil Knight and a talented animator, has been invited to join the board of trustees of the Academy Museum of Motion Picture Art and Sciences! His appointment has been announced alongside the selection of Effie T. Brown as a lifetime honorary trustee. What does this mean for the museum? Here’s what we know:
What will Travis Knight bring to the Academy Museum?
Knight is the president and CEO of animation studio LAIKA, which is known for its hit stop-motion films such as ‘Coraline’, ‘ParaNorman’, ‘The Boxtrolls’, and ‘Kubo and the Two Strings’. Recently, he was appointed to the Academy Museum board. It is exciting news for the museum and it’s audience as Travis has the resources and experience that they need. His appointment to the board is definitely a significant one, as he brings a certain expertise in the animation industry to the museum, also being a passionate advocate for diversity and inclusion in the film industry, which aligns with the museum’s mission. This is the only official museum for Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, and it is dedicated to the history and artistry of cinema.
In a statement, Knight said that he was “honored to be appointed to the board”, and that he looked forward to “working with the museum to ensure that it is a place where everyone can feel welcome and inspired.” He also talks about how he has been a lifelong fan of the cinema and is “passionate about the power of film to entertain, educate, and inspire”, further showing his commitment to help the Academy Museum achieve its mission of “advancing the understanding, celebration, and preservation of cinema.”
“We are thrilled to welcome Travis Knight to the Board of Trustees. He is an extraordinary leader who has already made such an impact on the industry at large through his groundbreaking advancements in the art of stop-motion animation and live-action moviemaking. We are also proud to recognize Effie T. Brown, a talented producer who has been a crucial voice for diversity and inclusion at the museum, with this lifetime honorary position.”
Ted Sarandos
What are some details on the Academy Museum Board of Trustees?
The Academy Museum of Motion Pictures is scheduled to open to the public on September 30, 2023, and Knight’s appointment to the board is a definite sign that the museum is committed to being a diverse and inclusive institution. The Academy Museum’s Board of Trustees has also further re-elected six members: Patricia Bellinger Balzer, Arnaud Boetsch, Olivier de Givenchy, Ray Halbritter, Ryan Murphy, and Regina Scully. Their current terms end on June 30, 2023, and they have been re-elected for another three-year term.