2016 Arts & Culture Empowerment Award Recipients will be Honored at May 19 Awards Breakfast at the Shore and Country Club in Norwalk
The Cultural Alliance of Fairfield County (CAFC) proudly announces the winners of the Inaugural 2016 ACE (Arts & Culture Empowerment) Awards, a celebration of individuals, organizations, and businesses who have made significant contributions to the Fairfield County community through arts and culture, or who have enriched the arts and culture sector through volunteerism or patronage.
“We are so proud to have the opportunity to honor these exceptional individuals and organizations who have added to the vitality of our community through their passion for the arts and dedication to education and sharing their talents,” said Angela Whitford, Executive Director.
The ACE Awards are being presented in the following categories:
ACE Award, Artist: Westport Artists’ Collective Founders Duvian Montoya, Nina Bentley, Miggs Burroughs, Tammy Winser, Helen Klisser During and Jahmane West, recognized for encouraging the careers and talents of local artists and contributing to our diverse artistic community.
ACE Award, Nonprofit: Lou Ursone, Executive and Artistic Director of Curtain Call, Inc.(Kweskin Theatre/Dressing Room Theatre), in Stamford. The organization provides a consistent outlet for artistic expression while entertaining the general public and providing a safe and nurturing environment for learning.
ACE Award, Corporate: Bank of America, a leading supporter of the arts and sponsor of Fairfield County’s Community Foundation Giving Day, in which 24% of donations in 2016 went to Arts & Cultural organizations.
ACE Award, Educator: The Bruce Museum, in Greenwich, for their exemplary work in arts and science education (Deputy Director and Interim Director of Education, Susan Ball).
ACE Award, Citizen: Richard J. Wenning, Executive Director of the BeFoundation, a private foundation devoted to dramatic improvement in the educational outcomes of disadvantaged students in Connecticut. Wenning is also CoFounder of SpreadMusicNow, an organization dedicated to transforming students lives through funding music programs that foster continual learning.
Recipients will be honored at the ACE Award Breakfast, 7:30 – 9:00 am on May 19 at the Shore and Country Club in Norwalk, featuring keynote speaker Arthur Levitt, the twenty-fifth and longest serving Chairman of the SEC, with an introduction by Karen Brooks Hopkins, President Emeritus of the Brooklyn Academy of Music and current Senior Fellow in Residence at the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation. Tony Award winning actor and singer James Naughton will serve as the Master of Ceremonies. Tickets for the Breakfast and Raffle are now on sale at Here.
The Cultural Alliance of Fairfield County applauds the support of its Platinum Sponsor, Westport Resources, Gold Sponsors Cohen & Wolf and Fairfield County Bank, for their dedication to ensuring a thriving arts & culture community in Fairfield County.
The Cultural Alliance of Fairfield County supports cultural organizations, artists and creative businesses in Fairfield County through marketing, professional development and advocacy. For more information, visit CulturalAllianceFC.org.