For Immediate Release

Release Date: 11-02-09

JEFFERSON CITY– The Missouri Arts Council (MAC) has announced its selection of 2010 Arts Awards recipients. The Missouri Arts Award honors individuals and organizations that have made profound and lasting contributions to the cultural and artistic climate of the state.

The Missouri Arts Council is a division of the Missouri Department of Economic Development (DED).

The winners by category are:
 Arts Education: Dr. Robert Gifford, Cape Girardeau
 Arts Organization: Opera Theatre of St. Louis, St. Louis
 Creative Community: The City of Lee’s Summit, Lee’s Summit
 Individual Artist: Jim Leedy, Lake Lotawana
 Leadership in the Arts: Marie Nau Hunter, Columbia
 Philanthropy: Joseph L. Gray, St. Joseph

“I commend the 2010 Missouri Arts Awards recipients for their commitment to the arts,” said Beverly Strohmeyer, executive director of the Missouri Arts Council. “Their hard work and dedication has helped to continue to bring quality arts to the state of Missouri.”
The awards will officially be presented in a ceremony at 2 p.m. on February 10, 2010 at the Capitol Rotunda in Jefferson City.

“It is an honor to serve as the Chairperson for this distinguished committee and I am very pleased for the well deserved 2010 Missouri Arts Awards Recipients,” said Cynthia Cartwright, chair of the Missouri Arts Awards Selection Committee.

The Missouri Arts Awards were established in 1983. Each year, Missouri Arts Award nominees are reviewed by a committee of Missouri citizens from throughout the state who are knowledgeable, experienced, and highly respected in the arts.
About MAC

The Missouri Arts Council provides over $8 million a year to nonprofit organizations through grants that meet our strategic goals:

• Increase participation in the arts in Missouri
• Grow Missouri’s economy using the arts
• Strengthen Missouri education through the arts

MAC awards grants to organizations to stimulate the growth, development, and appreciation of the arts in Missouri. This funding makes possible quality arts programming to communities throughout Missouri. In addition to financial assistance, MAC provides expertise in community development, fundraising, marketing, grantwriting, arts education, artistic disciplines (visual arts, music, literature, theater, dance, festivals, and film/media) and more.

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