Today, Americans for the Arts and The United States Conference of Mayors presented the 2010 Public Leadership in the Arts Awards to Oregon Governor Ted Kulongoski, Honolulu Mayor Mufi Hannemann, and musician Michael Feinstein. The awards honor elected officials and artists that have demonstrated outstanding leadership in the advancement of the arts.
 

• Gov. Kulongoski receives the 2010 Award for State Arts Leadership for advancing both policy and budget initiatives that brand culture and creative endeavors as critical to the state'€™s economy and future. 
• Mayor Hannemann receives the 2010 Award for Local Arts Leadership for creating opportunities to use the arts as a catalyst for economic development and community revitalization in Honolulu.
• Michael Feinstein receives the 2010 Award for Artist-Citizen. He is a multi-platinum selling, five-time Grammy-nominated entertainer dubbed "€œThe Ambassador of the Great American Songbook,"€ and is considered one of the premiere interpreters of American popular song.

This evening, the U.S. Conference of Mayors is also honoring Americans for the Arts with the President'€™s Award. The award is in honor of Americans for the Arts'€™ 50 years of outstanding work in promoting, serving, and advancing arts and culture throughout the country.