Americans for the Arts, the leading organization for advancing the arts and arts education in America, announced today that it is presenting the 2015 American Express Emerging Leaders Award to Lara Davis, Arts Education Manager for the City of Seattle’s Office of Arts and Culture. Given annually since 2006 and sponsored by American Express since 2011, the award recognizes an exceptional new and/or young arts professional for their exemplary leadership, deep engagement with community, and strong commitment to advancing the arts.  Award recipients are selected by a panel of outside experts.

 

Davis has been active in youth development and community arts education for more than a decade. With a background in education, social sciences, and youth development, she has served as a Seattle arts commissioner and as program director for Arts Corps, an award-winning, Seattle-based youth arts organization. In her current role as arts education manager for the City of Seattle’s Office of Arts and Culture, Davis manages the Creative Advantage plan, a public/private partnership that pairs teaching artists and cultural organizations with underserved public schools to ensure that all Seattle youth in every neighborhood have equal access to arts learning. Davis serves on the National Advisory Committee for the Teaching Artists Guild and facilitates equity and racial justice trainings for teaching artists, educators and organizations, presenting locally and at national conferences. She knows firsthand the power of creativity necessary to build access, foster engagement, transform communities, and inspire systemic change.

 

“Americans for the Arts has been a strong proponent for the advancement of new arts leadership, and Lara Davis exemplifies that next generation,” said Robert L. Lynch, President and CEO of Americans for the Arts. “She motivates, inspires, and invests in youth as our most important resource, and her extraordinary work with the Creative Advantage plan shows the power that the arts have to transform a community.” 

 

“I join Bob Lynch and the board and staff of Americans for the Arts in congratulating Lara Davis on her receipt of this award," said Timothy J. McClimon, president, American Express Foundation.  “American Express is pleased to nurture the next generation of arts leadership through the Emerging Leaders Award. We applaud Lara’s entrepreneurial spirit and her commitment to excellence, and salute her for making Seattle a more vibrant arts community that engages and supports its young people.”  

 

American Express, Americans for the Arts, and the Emerging Leaders Network will present Davis her award at the Americans for the Arts 2015 Annual Convention during the Opening Plenary session on Friday, June 12, 2015, from 12:00–2:15 p.m. Through its Emerging Leaders Network, Americans for the Arts works to identify and cultivate the next generation of leaders in the arts and arts education. Founded in 1999, the Network serves the unique needs of arts management professionals who are either new to the field (less than five years of experience) or age 35 or younger. Network members can access a rich range of professional development, peer-to-peer networking and technical assistance services. Currently, the Network has more than 7,148 members in all 50 states, as well as the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico. 

 

 

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.

 

About American Express: Developing New Leaders for Tomorrow

One of American Express’ three platforms for its philanthropy is Developing New Leaders for Tomorrow. Under this giving initiative, which recognizes the significance of strong leadership in the nonprofit and social sectors, American Express is making grants focused on training high potential emerging leaders to tackle important issues in the 21st century. More than 15,000 emerging nonprofit and social sector leaders worldwide have benefitted from American Express leadership programs. Launched in 2008, the American Express Leadership Academy addresses the growing deficit of leadership talent in the nonprofit sector. To date, American Express has hosted over 50 Leadership Academy sessions in six countries, including the United States, the United Kingdom, India, Japan, Mexico and Canada, supporting more than 1,600 nonprofit and social sector leaders. In 2015, the Academy will extend with programs in China, Kenya and Senegal. To learn more, please visit http://about.americanexpress.com/csr/nla.aspx.

 

About American Express

American Express is a global services company, providing customers with access to products, insights and experiences that enrich lives and build business success. Learn more at americanexpress.com and connect with us on facebook.com/americanexpress, foursquare.com/americanexpress, linkedin.com/company/american-express, twitter.com/americanexpress, and youtube.com/americanexpress.

 

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