Finalists named for Governor’s Arts Awards


Twenty-one finalists have been named in seven categories for 2017 Governor’s Arts Awards.
The awards will be presented at the 36th annual Governor’s Arts Awards dinner and celebration, May 4 at the Phoenician Resort in Scottsdale.
All 70 nominees for the 2017 Governor’s Arts Awards were recognized at a special Nominee Event on Feb. 20 when the three finalists in each category and the Philanthropy Honoree were announced.
It’s the first time the finalists have been named in advance of the event, said Catherine “Rusty” Foley, Executive Director of Arizona Citizens for the Arts, which presents the awards in partnership with the Office of the Governor.
Foley said that the announcement was made prior to the event because the pool of talented artists in the state is so deep that they wanted to enhance the focus of the awards on the finalists.
“We couldn’t be more pleased with this group of finalists,” Foley said. “These nominees represent individuals and organizations that are working all over our state and doing great things to bring the arts to our communities.”
Since 1981, more than 200 artists, individuals, arts and cultural organizations, educators and businesses have received Governor’s Arts Awards.
A panel of judges selected Mary Way of Paradise Valley as the recipient of the inaugural Philanthropy Award to recognize extraordinary philanthropic leadership through the contribution of financial resources to non-profit arts and culture organizations, and by encouraging the philanthropic support of others.
The winner of the 12th annual Shelley Award, honoring those who have advanced the arts through strategic and innovative work in creating or supporting public policy beneficial to the arts, will be announced this spring.
Finalists for 2017 Governor’s Arts Awards, which were announced at a special event at Phoenix Theatre earlier week, are:

  • Artist: Liliana Gomez, Phoenix; Katherine Josten, Tucson; Dennis Rowland, Phoenix.
  • Arts in Education, Individual: David Andres, Tucson; Dr. Mary Erickson, Tempe; Dennis Ott, Sedona.
  • Arts in Education, Organization: Children’s Museum of Phoenix; Osborn School District, Phoenix; University of Arizona Museum of Art.
  • Individual: Lin Ling Lee, Phoenix; Hope H. Ozer, Paradise Valley; Dr. Ruth Tan Lim, Mesa.
  • Community: Del E. Webb Center for the Performing Arts, Wickenburg; Mesa Arts Center, Mesa; Phoenix Center for the Arts, Phoenix.
  • Small Business: Arizona Copper Art Museum, Clarkdale; Galiano’s Café, Douglas; Partridge and Associates, CPAs, Scottsdale.
  • Large Business: Alliance Bank of Arizona, Phoenix; Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona, Phoenix; Casino Del Sol Resort, Tucson.

For registration information and to purchase tickets, visit www.azcitizensforthearts.org.

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