The Joffrey Ballet announced Thursday that Mayor Emanuel has been named Honorary Chairman of The Joffrey Ballet Board of Directors, after a unanimous Executive Committee vote. Emanuel famously studied dance during his undergraduate education at Sarah Lawrence College; he actually turned down a scholarship to study at Joffrey.

Working Chairman of the Joffrey will be Jason Tyler, Senior Vice President of the Investment Committee and Director of Research Options for Ariel Investments, LLC. He was previously the Treasurer of the Joffrey. Leaving the position is Fred Eychaner, Chairman since 2009, and a member of the Joffrey Board since the company relocated from New York to Chicago in 1995.  

Emanuel has tried to desuade criticism that he has not been supportive enough of the arts, while struggling to cut corners in the city budget. The Joffrey statement made no reference to Emanuel’s specific involvement with the company going forward.