Americans for the Arts, the nation’s leading nonprofit organization for advancing the arts and arts education, announced today that it is presenting the 2012 Alene Valkanas State Arts Advocacy Award to Sherron Long, president of the Florida Cultural Alliance. Presented by the State Arts Action Network (SAAN) of Americans for the Arts, the award honors an individual whose arts advocacy efforts have dramatically affected the political landscape at the state level. Ms. Long will receive her award on June 9 at the Americans for the Arts Annual Convention in San Antonio.

“I am delighted to be presenting Sharon with this award,” said Robert L. Lynch, president and CEO of Americans for the Arts. “Her commitment to Florida’s arts groups, working artists and arts enthusiasts is extraordinary. She is an unflagging advocate and outstanding leader for the arts and culture not only in Florida, but also on the national level.”

Throughout her career, Sherron Long has been a leader in promoting the critical work of statewide arts membership organizations to advocate for the arts, arts education and the creative economy. She manages three statewide service organizations—the Florida Professional Theatres Association, which she created in 1981; the Florida Cultural Alliance, which she co-founded in 1983; and the Florida Association of Local Arts Agencies—which lead the state’s efforts to keep Florida’s investment in the arts as robust and vibrant as possible. She was chair of the State Arts Advocacy League and currently serves as chair of the State Arts Action Network (SAAN) where she has been particularly skillful in reaching out to colleagues to ensure all SAAN members are included in the conversation about SAAN’s work through Americans for the Arts.

In addition, Ms. Long was an on-site evaluator for the National Endowment for the Arts' Dance Program for seven years and served for two years as president of the State Arts Advocacy League of America, the former national organization for state arts advocacy organizations. She also is the past president of Arts for a Complete Education/Florida Alliance for Arts Education.  She also taught theater, speech, dance and humanities at the high school and university levels and has directed and choreographed a number of productions in educational and professional settings.

“This award symbolizes the respect we have for each other and how valuable our individual voices are when we plan and work together in our advocacy efforts to show up, stand up, and speak up for what we believe in; and we all believe in and know the power of the arts,” said Long. 
 
Americans for the Arts is the leading nonprofit organization for advancing the arts 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.

Contact:
Catherine Brandt
202-712-2054
[email protected]