Announcing the 2008 Visionary Award Honorees:

Peg Grigg President’s Award
Sue Greenberg Outstanding Arts Professional
Carrie Houk Successful Working Artist
Jeanne Trevor Lifetime Achievement Award
Lois D. Conley & Jane Ellen Ibur Outstanding Arts Educator
Ashley L. Tate Emerging Artist
Emily Piro Outstanding Young Artist

Grand Center, St. Louis’ premier District of arts and cultural entertainment, is preparing for its annual awards ceremony honoring St. Louis women who have been instrumental in advancing the arts. The 2008 Visionary Awards will be held on Wednesday, May 21 at The Sheldon in Grand Center.
 
The Visionary Award honorees are chosen for their success and generosity in the areas of leadership, philanthropy and service, arts administration, visual and performing arts, national leadership in the arts, and lifetime contribution to the arts.  Recipients are selected by a committee – comprised of recognized arts leaders in the community, including Grand Center, Inc. Board members, executive management and past honorees – that reviews nominations and recommendations submitted by members of the St. Louis arts community.   The awards are given based on the determination of the selection committee and the overall representation of the artists.
 
Grand Center, Inc. created the Visionary Awards as a way to highlight the work of women artists and arts leaders in the community by reaching a wide-ranging audience,  and by doing so, increases our appreciation for the multitude of cultural contributions that our Region has to offer. Hundreds of women involved with the arts—in a variety of ways—will attend this prestigious awards event.  The organization also utilizes the annual awards program as a fundraiser to help support its ongoing efforts to redevelop the Grand Center District.  
 
This year marks Grand Center’s sixth Visionary Awards event.  The Visionary Awards will take place on Wednesday, May 21, 2008 from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at The Sheldon, located in Grand Center.  For more information, please call Jessica E. Stack at 314.289.1523.

AWARDS INCLUDE:
Major Contributor to the Arts, presented to a woman who has made a significant financial commitment to the advancement of the arts in St. Louis. She also participates on arts organization boards and raises funds for non-profit arts organizations. [Past honorees include: Mary Strauss, Helen Kornblum, Donna Moog, Nancy Kranzberg.]

Outstanding Arts Professional, presented to a woman who has dedicated her professional career to fostering creativity, and encouraging ongoing participation in the arts. She raises the profile of her organization by causing a widespread impact on the St. Louis arts community. [Past honorees include: Cynthia Prost, Francesce Herndon-Consagra, Jill McGuire, Stephanie Riven.]

Successful Working Artist, presented to a woman currently working and achieving great accomplishments in the arts.  She has earned significant acclaim over an extended period of time and consistently displays excellence in the practice of her art form, enriching artistic expression and unique style. [Past honorees include: Kathleen Finneran, Jackie Masei, Linda Kennedy, Kim Massie, Joan Lipkin.]

Outstanding Arts Educator, presented to a woman dedicated to providing artistic instruction to a range of students, as both a profession and a lifestyle.  She has made a strong impact on the individuals and community she has fostered through her role as an educator. [New Award]

Emerging Artist, presented to an up-and-coming artist (Age 22+) who has demonstrated her talent and a strong commitment to building her career in the arts. [Abby Birhanu, Sarah Gianobile, Lyndsey Scott, Jill Downen, Jenna Bauer.]

Outstanding Young Artist, presented to a young artist (ages 16-22) who demonstrates outstanding talent and enthusiasm regarding her art form.  One who has actively engaged herself in this art form both within her educational institution and in the St. Louis community at large, setting an example for other promising young artists. [New Award]

Lifetime Achievement Award, presented to a woman whose career in the arts has greatly contributed to the enrichment of people in the St. Louis community.  The recipient should be one whose accomplishments have been acknowledged by critics, professional peers and the general public; and whose work has stood the test of time. [Patricia Degener, Mae Wheeler.]

Other Visionary Honorees include:
President’s Award: [Virginia Weldon, Ann Ruwitch, Joanne Taylor Kindle, Susan Sherman]
National Woman in the Arts: [Niecy Nash, Jenna Fischer, Deborah Borda]

Nominations have been accepted.
Check back in January of 2009 to nominate for the 7th Annual Grand Center Visionary Awards.

sponsored by: