Americans for the Arts and The United States Conference of Mayors today awarded Maryland Governor Larry Hogan the 2018 National Award for State Arts Leadership. The award, along with three other arts leadership awards, was presented at The U.S. Conference of Mayors’ Winter Meeting in Washington, DC. 

 

"The arts play a vital role in Maryland, including educating and encouraging creativity in our children, helping to maintain our quality of life and contributing to our economy. The First Lady and I have a deep connection to the arts and remain committed to promoting the arts in our state. I am honored to receive this award," said Governor Hogan. 

 

Maryland is ranked fourth in the nation in per-capita spending on the arts. The state’s art sector boasts a $1 billion industry, consisting of hundreds of arts organizations and thousands of artists from the Eastern Shore to the far reaches of Western Maryland Appalachia. 

 

Since taking office in 2014, Governor Hogan has been an avid supporter of the arts and helped ensure its continued success by supporting strong investments for the Maryland State Arts Council. During Governor Hogan’s term, the state arts council has seen an almost 50 percent increase in state funding for the arts and now has an annual appropriation that stands at more than $20 million, supporting hundreds of Maryland artists and arts organizations. 

 

Additionally, Governor Hogan and First Lady of Maryland Yumi Hogan support the arts to improve the quality of life of Maryland residents. Examples include launching an art therapy program at the University of Maryland Medical Center and hosting a biannual artwork exhibit in the Maryland House of Delegates, which features K-12 student artwork from every county in Maryland. 

 

“Governor Hogan embodies the best of what a civic leader can do to promote the arts. His unwavering leadership and dedication to the arts has yielded boosts in cultural funding, community growth, and economic prosperity. I applaud Governor Hogan’s accomplishments, commitment, and leadership worthy of this recognition,” said Robert L. Lynch, president and CEO of Americans for the Arts. 

 

“Every year, The U.S. Conference of Mayors recognizes the exemplary efforts of local leaders who believe as much as we do that the arts are an integral part our society,” remarked Tom Cochran, CEO and Executive Director of The U.S. Conference of Mayors. “Mayors understand the connection between arts and business, and the significant contribution the arts make to the local economy.”

 

Americans for the Arts and The United States Conference of Mayors presented three other awards at the mayors’ Winter Meeting – Dallas Mayor Michael S. Rawlings received the National Award for Local Arts Leadership for cities with a population of 100,000 or more; Santa Fe Mayor Javier M. Gonzales received the National Award for Local Arts Leadership for cities with a population of fewer than 100,000; and actor and musician Michael Cerveris received the Citizen Artist Award.

 

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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 55 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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