press room
For Immediate Release
06/03/2007Contact:
Virginia Anagnos
Goodman Media for Americans for the Arts
212.576.2700 ext. 222 or virginia@goodmanmedia.com
Americans for the Arts Presents National Award for Leadership in United Arts Fundraising to Margot H. Knight
Las Vegas, NV — June 3, 2007 — At its annual meeting in Las Vegas, Americans for the Arts presented the 2007 Michael Newton Award to Margot H. Knight, president and CEO of United Arts of Central Florida. The Newton Award recognizes exemplary leadership skills and extraordinary dedication to supporting the arts through a united arts fund, which is a combined effort to raise money on behalf of multiple arts institutions in the community.
“Margot Knight’s combination of business and fundraising acumen together with her tremendous empathy for artists and cultural organizations has earned her enormous respect from her peers,” said Robert L. Lynch, president and CEO of Americans for the Arts. “She is a dynamic role model who has played an integral part in raising and allocating funds for the arts and cultural community in Central Florida.”
In 2005, 38 cultural groups in Central Florida suffered more than $3.2 million in unreimbursed damages and lost revenue due to hurricanes. In 2006, under Knight’s leadership, United Arts rallied and raised more than $5.6 million—a 6.3 percent increase from the previous year, and a full 2 percent above their goal.
Prior to joining United Arts, Knight served as president and CEO of the United Arts Council of Raleigh and Wake County, NC, from 1998–2001 and executive director of the Idaho Commission on the Arts from 1990–1997. From 1985–1990, she was assistant director of the National Assembly of State Arts Agencies in Washington, DC.
United Arts is a dynamic collaboration of businesses, governments, foundations, arts and culture organizations, school districts, artists, and individuals. This partnership works to enhance the quality and variety of cultural experiences throughout Lake, Orange, Osceola, and Seminole counties in Central Florida. Since it’s inception in 1989, United Arts has invested over $87 million in local cultural organizations and cultural education.
The Michael Newton Award is presented by the United Arts Fund Network of Americans for the Arts.
Americans for the Arts is the leading nonprofit organization for advancing the arts in America. With offices in Washington, DC, and New York City, it has a record of more than 45 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.
