Incoming Ohio Arts Council Executive Director Donna Collins Wins Alene Valkanas State Arts Advocacy Award
by OAC and OCA Staff
WASHINGTON 5/2/2014 - Americans for the Arts, the nation's leading nonprofit organization for advancing the arts and arts education, announced the recipients of the 2014 Americans for the Arts Annual Local Arts Leadership Awards yesterday. Presented each year, these awards recognize the achievements of individuals, organizations or programs committed to enriching their communities through the arts. This year's recipients are:
Chris Appleton, Georgia. American Express Emerging Leaders Award
Robert Bush, North Carolina: Selina Roberts Ottum Award for Arts Leadership
James M. Clark, Kentucky: Michael Newton Award
Donna S. Collins, Ohio: Alene Valkanas State Arts Advocacy Award
Norie Sato, Washington: Public Art Network Award
Malissa Feruzzi Shriver, California: Arts Education Award
Since 2006, the Alene Valkanas State Arts Advocacy Award has honored an individual whose arts advocacy efforts have dramatically affected the political landscape at the state level. As the executive director of Ohio Citizens for the Arts (OCA) and the Ohio Alliance for Arts Education (OAAE), Donna S. Collins (pictured, right), has helped to foster a diverse community of arts advocates, educators, artists, and professional organizations that cultivate local, statewide, and national initiatives and actions that directly impact children, families, communities, and the creative economy in and through the arts.
"I am delighted that Americans for the Arts is recognizing Donna's leadership and service. The spotlight shines on the entire field of arts and arts education in Ohio when leaders like Donna are recognized for their expertise, gifts and talents," said OAC board chair Jeffrey A. Rich.
Collins was selected by the OAC board in February to succeed Julie S. Henahan as the new executive director of the OAC - a role she will assume on July 1. Henahan will retire from the OAC on August 1, after 30 years of service to the organization.
"Our Local Arts Leadership Awards honorees have distinguished themselves as leaders in innovation, education, management and advocacy for the arts in communities across the country. Each of this year's honorees are driven by both a passion for their work and a deep belief in the power of the arts to transform individual lives and communities," said Robert Lynch, president and CEO of Americans for the Arts, in a prepared statement. "We want to ensure we recognize their priceless contributions toward strengthening the arts in America."
"It is an honor to receive this most prestigious award from Americans for the Arts," Collins added, "but the real honor goes to every arts advocate in Ohio who speaks up and stands up for the arts and arts education."
Honorees will be presented their awards at the upcoming Americans for the Arts 2014 Annual Convention during the Opening Plenary session, Friday, June 13, 2014 from 11:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Presentations will be live streamed online at convention.artsusa.org.
About Americans for the Arts
Americans for the Arts is the leading nonprofit organization for advancing the arts and arts education in America. With offices in Washington, D.C. and New York City, it has a record of more than 50 years of service. Americans for the Arts is dedicated to representing and serving local communities and creating opportunities for every American to participate in and appreciate all forms of the arts. Additional information is available at www.AmericansForTheArts.org. is the leading nonprofit organization for advancing the arts and arts education in America. Additional information is available at www.AmericansForTheArts.org.
About Ohio Citizens for the Arts
Ohio Citizens for the Arts, established in 1976, is a volunteer not-for-profit grass roots organization working to advocate on issues of importance to the arts in Ohio. Through the efforts of thousands of individuals and arts and education organizations Ohio Citizens for the Arts is the statewide voice for public support of the arts through the investment of state and federal dollars with the Ohio Arts Council.
About the Ohio Arts Council:
The Ohio Arts Council is a state agency that funds and supports quality arts experiences to strengthen Ohio communities culturally, educationally and economically.
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