Ed Lawrence

Public Information Officer

(502) 564-3757 x 4803

ed.lawrence@ky.gov

Kentucky Arts Council Announces the 2003 Governor’s Awards in the Arts

            (Frankfort, KY)— The Governor's Awards in the Arts, the commonwealth’s most prestigious awards in the arts, honors Kentucky individuals, businesses and organizations that make outstanding and significant contributions to the arts in Kentucky.  This year’s ten recipients exemplify a high level of commitment to building community through the arts and underscore the value of those contributions to education, economic development and artistic excellence.

The awardees are Bill and Josephine D'Amato Richardson, Whitesburg, Milner Award; The Judd Family - Ashley, Naomi & Wynonna, National Award; Arturo Alonzo Sandoval, Lexington, Artist Award; Community Trust Bank, Pikeville, Business Award; Montgomery County Council for the Arts, Mt. Sterling, Community Arts Award; Vernell Bennett, Frankfort, Education Award- Individual; Kentucky Shakespeare Festival, Statewide, Education Award- Organization; Lestel Childress, Park City, Folk Heritage Award; City of Berea, Berea, Government Award; and Business First of Louisville, Louisville, Media Award.

The 2003 awards will be presented at a ceremony in the Capitol Rotunda on March 11, 2004.  The Kentucky Arts Council administers the Governor's Awards in the Arts selection process.  Nominations are annually solicited from the public, reviewed by a selection committee, and presented to the Governor for final approval.

The Kentucky Arts Council is a state agency in the Commerce Cabinet, established by the Kentucky General Assembly in 1965 by executive order to develop and promote support for the arts in Kentucky.  The Arts Council provides grants, awards and technical assistance to Kentucky artists, not-for-profit organizations, local governments and schools committed to providing arts and cultural programs and services to the public, contingent upon budgetary action of the Kentucky General Assembly and Partnership Agreement Grant funds from the National Endowment for the Arts.

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