Region 4 Commissioner

Meet Your Commissioner 

How have the arts impacted you? 

Art has profoundly shaped my journey, from being an art student to becoming the Commissioner of Art in Virginia. It has provided me with a career, a way to connect with others, and a platform to express my passion. 

How have you seen the arts impact Virginians? 

Art enriches Virginians’ lives by bringing communities together, sparking creativity, and fostering education. It preserves our heritage and inspires personal growth, making it a powerful force for social cohesion and cultural pride in our state. 

What might someone be surprised to know about you? 

People might be surprised to know that I was the Creative Director for the 2008 Olympic Games and the 2010 World Expo in Shanghai. Despite my deep involvement in large-scale international events, I’ve shifted my focus to art education and youth empowerment, believing that nurturing creativity in young minds has an even greater long-term impact.

If you could be a world class artist, what would you be/do? 

I’d be honored to inspire younger generations, guiding them to think positively and pursue their dreams. I’d create videos, share experiences, and teach them how to succeed, just like I did. 

If you had to say what your superpower was, what might that be? 

Super Brain! By putting all my effort into my goals and trusting in my potential, I can achieve anything. This power shows others that belief and trust in oneself are key to success. When you think you can succeed, you will. 

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Yan Zhao is the Co-Founder and CEO of the National Youth Visionaries Association (NYVA). He leads this nonprofit that empowers young artists through art and culture. He has the pleasure of organizing an annual award ceremony at The Kennedy Center. He is also the Founder and Master Artist of Smart Art Studios/Smart Education Corp., which is an art education center in Fairfax County. 

He graduated from Renmin University of China where he studied Design & Art. He was the former Artistic and Creative Director for top marketing agencies in China. He was also the Event Consultant and Planner for the 2010 Shanghai World Expo and had the honor of serving as the Creative Director for the opening and closing ceremonies for the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games.