Arts Council
Individuals, Museums, a Business and a Local Government will be Honored at Governor's Awards in the Arts Celebration

FRANKFORT, Ky. – The Kentucky Arts Council will host the Governor's Awards in the Arts, a public ceremony and celebration, on Tuesday, October 6, 2009, at 10:00 a.m. in the Capitol Rotunda in Frankfort.  The ceremony will feature video clips documenting the recipients' accomplishments and will be followed by a public reception on the mezzanine level of the Capitol.  The event is free and open to the public.

The Governor's Awards in the Arts are the commonwealth's highest honors in the arts and recognize the outstanding contributions and achievements that individuals and organizations in Kentucky have made through the arts.

The Governor's Awards in the Arts recipients are selected in nine different categories, with the Milner Award, which was established by the Kentucky Arts Council in 1978, and named in honor of the late B. Hudson Milner, being the most prestigious and the first.

Jerry E. Baker, an arts leader and philanthropist of Bowling Green is the recipient of the Milner Award, which recognizes outstanding individual commitment to the arts and their role in the economy, community and culture of Kentucky.

George Clooney, actor, director, producer and screenwriter, born in Lexington, will receive the National Award in recognition of his artistic achievement in reaching national and international acclaim. His parents, Nick and Nina Clooney, will accept the award on his behalf.

Chilton Price, songwriter, of Louisville, will receive the Artist Award for her lifetime achievement in the arts.

Liquor Barn, Lexington and Louisville, will receive the Business Award for outstanding support of the arts and artists in Kentucky.

Janice Mason Art Museum, in Cadiz, will receive the Community Arts Award for significant contributions to Cadiz and the surrounding region.

Harry Pickens, pianist, composer, community artist and teaching artist of Louisville, will receive the Education Award to recognize his significant contributions to education through the arts.

Kentucky Folk Art Center, Morehead, will receive the Folk Heritage Award for its role in promoting Kentucky's self-taught visual artists and conserving their work.

City of Maysville will receive the Government Award for its significant contributions to the arts through economic development efforts and support for arts organizations and arts events.

Judith Egerton, theater critic and arts writer, formerly with the Courier-Journal of Louisville, will receive the Media Award for her commitment to bringing the arts to the attention of the public.

Each recipient will receive a figurative gourd sculpture created by Frankfort artist Jennifer Zingg and commissioned by the Kentucky Arts Council.

For more information about the Kentucky Governor's Awards in the Arts, visit the Web site at http://www.artscouncil.ky.gov/09govaward/index.htm.

The Kentucky Arts Council, the state arts agency, creates opportunities for Kentuckians to value, participate in and benefit from the arts. Kentucky Arts Council funding is provided by the Kentucky General Assembly and the National Endowment for the Arts.

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