2003 GOVERNOR'S AWARD WINNERS SELECTED

Switch Tower, acrylic on canvas, 10"x8", 2002, by Will Reader, the artist creating the awards.

Eight winners have been selected for the 2003 Governor's Awards for the Arts in Ohio. Winners were selected in six categories from more than 110 nominations. Awards will be presented at a luncheon honoring winners and members of the Ohio Legislature hosted by the Ohio Arts Council and Ohio Citizens for the Arts Foundation March 12, 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at The Columbus Athenaeum, 32 North Fourth Street in downtown Columbus.

Award categories and recipients are: Arts Administration: Dan Dahl, Akron; Arts in Education: Rob Gartzka, Dayton; Arts Patron: Julia Amster Fishelson, Wooster; Two awards in Business Support of the Arts: Harold Jaffe Jewelers, Toledo and Honda of America Mfg., Inc., Marysville; Community Development and Participation: Near West Theatre, Cleveland; Individual Artist: Roman Johnson, Columbus.

The Irma Lazarus Award will be given to the Fine Arts Fund Arts Services Office, Cincinnati. The award honors the memory of Irma Lazarus, who made countless contributions as an arts patron, advocate and leader in the development of state funding for the arts in Ohio. It goes to organizations or individuals who have helped shape public support for the arts through their work as advocates and have brought statewide, nationaland international recognition to Ohio (Con't on page 2)

OAC UNVEILS NEW STRATEGIC PLAN

The Ohio Arts Council has released its 2003-05 Strategic Plan. The plan was developed by the Ohio Arts Council Board, staff and constituents from around the state. Seven major goals were identified:

• GOAL I Provide Support for the Arts
• GOAL II Cultivate Learning and Artistic Development
• GOAL III Recognize and Support the Fundamental Contributions of Ohio Artists
• GOAL IV Build Communities Through the Arts
• GOAL V Strengthen the Public Information Network
• GOAL VI Expand Information Systems and Technology
• GOAL VII Broaden Partnerships and Opportunities Regionally, Nationally and Internationally
  

The data collected from the State of the Arts Report (SOAR), served as the foundation for the new strategic plan. For the past 37 years the OAC has been working to ensure that the arts become basic to every community and school in Ohio. The OAC will continue to challenge its staff and Board in order to strengthen its programs and services to make arts and cultural opportunities available to every Ohioan.