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About Nancy Tom
Nancy Tom founded the Center for Asian Arts and Media at Columbia College Chicago in 1997 in order to highlight the contributions of Asian Americans to this country's culture and history. Nancy has dedicated her life to promoting awareness of Asian American issues, art and cultures. She is also committed to philanthropic activities and supporting other Asians in the arts. After the death of her husband in the early '80s, she founded the Chan Tom Memorial Fund Foundation. In 2001, Nancy established the Helen Fong Dare Scholarship, for Columbia College students, in honor of her mother.
Nancy is a long-time crusader for social justice and an advocate for the arts. She is a trustee of Columbia College Chicago; a board member of the Illinois Humanities Council; and a member of four Cultural Committees of the City of Chicago's Department of Cultural Affairs: Public Art, International Sister Cities, Multicultural Voices, and the International Program. In addition, she has served as a member of the Asian Advisory Council to former Governor George Ryan, the Council on Foreign Relations, Asia Society Committee, the Art Institute of Chicago's Education Department and on the advisory board of many nonprofit Asian organizations. In the 1980s, she served as a director and advisory committee member of the U.S.-Asia Institute and organized the first National Asian American Conference Gala in Washington, D.C. Then-President Jimmy Carter served as keynote speaker.
Nancy has received numerous awards and honors for her community work in Chicago. In 1997, she received a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Organization of Chinese Americans-Chicago. The OCA once again honored her in 2004 with the Woman Risk Taker and Enabler Award. In 1998, she was chosen by Today's Chicago Woman as one of the "100 Women Making a Difference." In 2003 she received a milestone award from the Asian American Institute. She was a grant recipient of the Chicago Artists International Program in 1999. She has spoken at numerous conferences, symposiums, and panel discussions hosted by organizations such as the U.S.-Asia Institute, the U.S. Army, the NSFRE Arts and Humanities Network, and the International Women's Associates. She was the Keynote Speaker at Working Mother Media's annual women of color conference and a selection panelist for the 2005 Thomas Jefferson Awards. Most recently she received the Ed Williams Achievement Award from Harris Bank Chicago and in 2009 was honored by the Chicago Foundation for Women's Asian American Leadership Council for her achievements in the arts.
Nancy's early passion for painting developed into an interest in collecting artwork, particularly "outsider" art. She is an independent curator and has handled special arts events for the City of Chicago and various Asian American organizations. At the age of 71, Nancy found a new passion for film/video, producing and directing her first documentary, Number One: The Helen Fong Dare Story, and producing many short videos. She is also the co-author of the children's book The Bubble Gum Machine, published in 2008.
Nancy is a long-time crusader for social justice and an advocate for the arts. She is a trustee of Columbia College Chicago; a board member of the Illinois Humanities Council; and a member of four Cultural Committees of the City of Chicago's Department of Cultural Affairs: Public Art, International Sister Cities, Multicultural Voices, and the International Program. In addition, she has served as a member of the Asian Advisory Council to former Governor George Ryan, the Council on Foreign Relations, Asia Society Committee, the Art Institute of Chicago's Education Department and on the advisory board of many nonprofit Asian organizations. In the 1980s, she served as a director and advisory committee member of the U.S.-Asia Institute and organized the first National Asian American Conference Gala in Washington, D.C. Then-President Jimmy Carter served as keynote speaker.
Nancy has received numerous awards and honors for her community work in Chicago. In 1997, she received a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Organization of Chinese Americans-Chicago. The OCA once again honored her in 2004 with the Woman Risk Taker and Enabler Award. In 1998, she was chosen by Today's Chicago Woman as one of the "100 Women Making a Difference." In 2003 she received a milestone award from the Asian American Institute. She was a grant recipient of the Chicago Artists International Program in 1999. She has spoken at numerous conferences, symposiums, and panel discussions hosted by organizations such as the U.S.-Asia Institute, the U.S. Army, the NSFRE Arts and Humanities Network, and the International Women's Associates. She was the Keynote Speaker at Working Mother Media's annual women of color conference and a selection panelist for the 2005 Thomas Jefferson Awards. Most recently she received the Ed Williams Achievement Award from Harris Bank Chicago and in 2009 was honored by the Chicago Foundation for Women's Asian American Leadership Council for her achievements in the arts.
Nancy's early passion for painting developed into an interest in collecting artwork, particularly "outsider" art. She is an independent curator and has handled special arts events for the City of Chicago and various Asian American organizations. At the age of 71, Nancy found a new passion for film/video, producing and directing her first documentary, Number One: The Helen Fong Dare Story, and producing many short videos. She is also the co-author of the children's book The Bubble Gum Machine, published in 2008.