WASHINGTON, D.C. —Americans for the Arts, the nation’s leading nonprofit organization for advancing the arts and arts education, in partnership with The United States Conference of Mayors (USCM) presented actress, producer, and activist Fran Drescher with the 2014 Public Leadership in the Arts Citizen Artist Award.  The award was presented today at the USCM Winter meeting in Washington, DC.

"Fran Drescher is an artist who understands the critical importance the arts, culture and creativity play in the education of our children," said Robert L. Lynch, President and CEO of Americans for the Arts. "Fran has consistently advocated for more government support of the arts and culture at all levels of government."

 "Every year, the U.S. Conference of Mayors recognizes the efforts of those who believe as much as we do, that the arts are the heart of our society," said U.S. Conference of Mayors CEO and Executive Director Tom Cochran.  "Arts and culture help shape a city’s quality of life, but mayors also understand the connection between the arts and business and the arts’ impact on the local economy."

Drescher received two Emmy and two Golden Globe nominations for her portrayal as the lovable 'Miss Fine' on the CBS hit series "The Nanny," a show she created, wrote, directed, and executive produced.  More recently, she starred in the WB series "Living with Fran" (an older woman/younger man romantic comedy) and recently guest starred on the HBO hit series "Entourage." She is currently producing and starring in her new TV show on TV Land called "Happily Divorced."

Drescher is a strong and vocal supporter of the arts and arts education in our communities, schools, and lives. She has actively participated in the Americans for the Arts annual Arts Advocacy Day on Capitol Hill and has brought national attention to the need for public support of the arts and arts education in America. 

She recently wrote a children's book, Being Wendy, and was most recently awarded the Ally for Equality Award by the Human Rights Campaign for her efforts to defend civil liberties.

In addition to her support for arts and culture, Drescher is a leading women’s health advocate. She is the President of the Cancer Schmancer Movement, a non-profit organization that is transforming women from patients into medical consumers, and shifting this nation's priority from looking for a cure towards prevention and early detection. She was also instrumental in getting “The Gynecologic Cancer Education and Awareness Act” signed into law. Drescher is also the Special Envoy for Women’s Health Issues for the US State Department, using her celebrity to speak to women globally about healthy living and empowerment.

Three other awards were presented at the breakfast event—Michigan Governor Rick Snyder; Akron, OH Mayor Don Plusquellic; and Dubuque, IA Mayor Roy Buol were also honored.

The U.S. Conference of Mayors is the official nonpartisan organization of cities with populations of 30,000 or more. There are 1,139 such cities in the country today, each represented in the Conference by its chief elected official, the Mayor. Additional information is available at www.USMayors.org.