By Tom McClimon
February 2, 2009

For the twelfth consecutive year, Americans for the Arts and The United States Conference of Mayors presented the National Awards for Public Leadership in the Arts to local, state, and entertainment leaders. The 2009 awards were presented January 19.

The 2009 winners are: National Award for Local Arts Leadership-Seattle Mayor Greg Nickels; National Award for State Arts Leadership-California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger; National Artist-Citizen Award-Kerry Washington; and National Artist-Citizen Award-Hill Harper.

Honolulu Mayor Mufi Hannemann, Chair of the Tourism, Arts, Parks, Entertainment and Sports Committee, moderated the awards presentations. "The arts are what make up the soul of a community," stated Hannemann in opening the session. Robert Lynch, President and CEO of Americans for the Arts, thanked the mayors for their continued support of the arts. Conference CEO and Executive Director Tom Cochran spoke of the Conference's long support for the arts, including support for a cabinet-level Secretary of the Arts.

Upon taking office in 2002, Nickels reorganized the Office of Arts & Cultural Affairs as an executive department within the mayor's office and has appointed high-level commissioners to lead the city's vibrant arts community. In 2008, he granted the office a $1 million budget increase. He has also supported $20.6 million in City Capital Cultural Investments. A strong proponent of arts education, Nickels provided seed investment in a groundbreaking Arts Education Partnership Initiative with Seattle Public Schools to restore arts education in the classroom. "My city will prosper in the 21st century as a result of the arts and their creativity," stated Nickels.

Saying, "I'll be back" in his support of the arts, California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger accepted the 2009 State Arts Leadership Award. In 2006, Schwarzenegger sponsored legislation that included $105 million in on-going funding for arts and music education and a $500 million one-time block grant for arts/music/physical education equipment and supplies for the students of California. This funding allows students in California to receive high-quality arts education and access to the arts.

Washington is an acclaimed stage, television and screen actress, and dedicated advocate for the arts and arts education. Among her many accolades, she won an NAACP Image Award in 2005 for her performance as Ray Charles' wife Della Bea Robinson in the film, Ray. Washington has testified before Congress in support of federal funding of the arts. She was honored for her commitment to arts funding and her advocacy work and other activities supporting the Arts. "The arts were my ‘third parent', stated Washington in accepting her award. "The arts provided me a place to go after school where the arts taught me commitment, integrity, teambuilding, and confidence."

" The mutual destiny of arts and cities is critical," stated Harper in accepting his award. Harper is an accomplished film, television and stage actor and currently stars on CBS's CSI:NY. Through his political activism, volunteer work and philanthropic endeavors, Harper is a tireless advocate for empowering youth to succeed and recognize the values of a strong public education. He is the author of two bestselling books, Letters to a Young Brother and Letters to a Young Sister.