| Mayors Honor Arts Leaders
By Tom McClimon
Newark Mayor Sharpe James was honored with the Local Arts Leadership Award. Against the odds and major skepticism, Mayor James propelled the building of the New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC). It is now the 6th largest performing arts center in the country with the 4th largest arts education program. Since NJPAC opened in 1997, over 2.2 million people, including 500,000 children have visited the facility. The mayor was also very instrumental in creating the Downtown Newark Arts District, which includes the area around NJPAC, including nearby shops, restaurants, and hotels. In addition, Mayor James led the campaining that raised $20 million for the expansion of the Newark Museum and he has also been the leading champion of local artists and smaller Newark-based arts organization, which has led to the formation of the Newark Arts Council. In accepting his award, Mayor James stated, "The arts give children the opportunity to be all they can be." He urged his fellow mayors to continue their efforts to provide arts programs for children in their communities. Mayor James was presented with his award by last year's Local Arts Leadership honoree, Denver Mayor Wellington E. Webb.
Michigan Governor John Engler was awarded the State Arts Leadership Award. In 1991, Governor Engler created the Michigan Council for Arts and Cultural Affairs. This plan eventually led to a stabilized and growing arts industry, to the building and renovation of hundreds of cultural facilities and to improve public access to the arts in undeserved communities statewide. The Governor increased state support for the arts from $5 million in 1992 to over $26 million in 2001. In this past fiscal year, the Governor supported an 18% increase in arts and cultural grants. Also, this year the Governor created the Department of History, Arts, and Libraries. Governor Engler in accepting his award stated, "Local leaders have continuously come forth to provide the leadership in the arts." Governor Engler was presented his award by Dearborn Mayor Michael Guido.
The Manchester Craftsmen's Guild was honored with the Excellence in Arts Programming for Youth Award. The Manchester Craftsmen's Guild, located in Pittsburgh, has become a nationally known youth development enterprise offering students from 7th to 12th grade opportunities to create with their hands and their minds in a safe, supportive environment. It provides opportunities for young people to learn studio skills, such as ceramic art, computer design, photography, painting, and drawing. In addition, they are exposed to the highest quality of jazz by legendary performers in the Guild's state-of-the-art concert hall. Almost eighty percent of those who participate in the Manchester Craftsmen's Guild programs at the high school level go on to college. In accepting the award, Jessie Fife, the Guild's Chief Financial Officer stated, "that the arts provide the opportunity to help our children reach their full potential." Mr. Fife was presented the award by Robert Lynch, President and CEO of Americans for the Arts.
W. Jerome Frautschi was honored with a Special Arts Recognition Award for his contribution to Madison's Overture Project. The Overture Project is an initiative to promote the excellence of the arts in downtown Madison. The Overture Project began with a $100 million gift to the city from The Overture Project will transform the current Civic Center block in downtown Madison into a vibrant arts scene. This project will include a number of new facilities, such as the Overture Hall a new performing arts center; and rehabilitation of existing facilities such as the Oscar Mayer Theatre. Restaurants and retail stores will also be part of the project. Mr. Frautschi was presented his award by Madison Mayor Susan Bauman.
Prior to the awards' presentations, Robert Lynch from Americans for the Arts presented the results of a recent national study, "Arts & Prosperity: The Economic Impact of Nonprofit Arts Organizations and Their Audiences." The study reveals that America's nonprofit arts industry generates $134 billion in economic activity every year, resulting in $24.4 billion in federal, state, and local tax revenues. The $134 billion total includes $53.2 billion in spending by arts organizations and $80.8 billion in event-related spending by arts audiences. The full report is available from www.AmericansForTheArts.org/Economic Mr. Lynch also previewed two public service announcements dealing with encouraging arts education.
Conference Executive Director J. Thomas Cochran talked about the importance of the arts to mayors and the Conference and pledged the Conference's continued strong support of the arts.
The luncheon was sponsored by the Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers. Entertainment was provided by the OD-TAPO-MI drummers and Leotha Stanley and his singers. |
