press release archive
06/20/2008Contact:
Beth Garcia
Goodman Media for Americans for the Arts
212.576.2700 ext. 242 or bgarcia@goodmanmedia.com
Americans for the Arts Presents the 2008 Alene Valkanas State Arts Advocacy Award to Judith Kaufman Weiner
PHILADELPHIA, PA — June 20, 2008 — At its annual convention in Philadelphia today, Americans for the Arts, the nation’s leading nonprofit organization for advancing the arts in America, presented the 2008 Alene Valkanas State Arts Advocacy Award to Judith Kaufman Weiner, Executive Director of NYS Arts (formerly known as the Alliance of New York State Arts Organizations). The award honors an individual who has dramatically affected the political landscape through arts advocacy efforts at the state level.
Robert L. Lynch, president and CEO for Americans for the Arts, stated, “Judy has been a tremendous leader and passionate advocate for the arts and arts education in New York. Her unwavering commitment to local, state, and national support for the arts deserves this recognition.”
Under her stewardship since 1994, the Alliance has increased its capacity to provide advocacy leadership for advancing arts policy in New York. Weiner was nominated by Pat Berman, Associate Director of the Alliance, who wrote, “Judy is the face and voice of the arts advocacy effort in New York State,” and has “worked tirelessly through her whole career to achieve greater visibility and validation for the arts as an industry.”
For 33 years NYS Arts has been New York's primary service and advocacy organization, providing professional training for arts leaders, technical assistance for arts organizations, and advocacy leadership to increase public funding and advance public policy in the arts. NYS Arts informs and mobilizes its constituents on state and national issues affecting the arts and assists local arts agencies around the state to build community support. Among its programs is a Rural Arts Initiative, Arts Day in Albany, and the Regional Captain Network that keeps constituents statewide connected to NYS Arts and issues crucial to the arts.
The Alene Valkanas State Arts Advocacy Award is presented by the State Arts Action 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 48 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.
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