DC Commission on the Arts & Humanities
Annual Report 2012
Arts and culture boasts an economic impact of $1.1 billion in the District of Columbia, making the city one of the top arts and culture destinations in the world.
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Contents FY2012
4. Letter from Chair and Executive Director 5. Commissioners & Staff 7. Introduction 8. 2012 Revenues 9. Ward Report 10. Grant Programs and Grantees 13. Arts Education 14. Public Art: Commissioned Projects 16. Public Art: Building Communities by Ward 18. EventS: Poetry Out Loud 19. EventS: Larry Neal Writers’ Awards 20. EventS: Dance DC Festival 22. EventS: Mayor’s Arts Awards 23. Office of the Poet Laureate 24. Acknowledgments
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Letter from Since our inception in August 1968, the DC Commission on the Arts and has committed itself to fostering the District’s abundance of creative Chair Humanities talent through grant funds, artistic programs and educational activities. And More recently, Washington, DC’s cultural industry is emerging as the second economic driver in the city. As the foremost voice for the arts and Executive leading humanities in the District, the DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities to ensure economic growth of our great city through our investment Director continues in the arts and humanities. Today, the District is more attractive than ever as a destination for talented young professionals. This is typified by the influx of new residents to our city. They are undoubtedly drawn, in part, by the numerous jobs and the quality of life generated by our creative economy. The Annual Report illuminates our indelible commitment to arts, culture, and to the residents and visitors of the District. We are proud of the stellar work of the District’s artists and are pleased to share with you the strength and dynamism that our arts community exhibits.
Sincerely,
Judith Terra Lionell Thomas Chair Executive Director
the District is “ Today, more attractive
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than ever as a destination for talented young professionals.
2012 COMMISSIONERS Judith Terra Chair
Lavinia Wohlfarth Vice-Chair
Marvin Bowser Susan Clampitt Carl C. Cole Christopher Cowan Edmund C. Fleet Rhona Wolfe Friedman
Alma H. Gates Philippa Hughes Rogelio A. Maxwell MaryAnn Miller Danielle M. St. Germain-Gordon Gretchen B. Wharton
Poet LaureatE Judith Terra | Chair
Dolores Kendrick, Poet Laureate of the District of Columbia
2012 STAFF Lionell Thomas, Executive Director Lisa Richards Toney, Deputy Director Moshe Adams, Director of Grants and Legislative Affairs Ebony C. Blanks, Special Events Manager Marybeth Brown, Public Art Coordinator Tierra Buggs, Associate Grants Manager Earica Busby, Finance Manager Tim Conlon, Director of Media Arts Saheed Fawehinmi, Special Events Assistant Sharon Jeffries, Executive Assistant Charlese Jennings, Grants Program Assistant Tonya Jordan, Public Art Manager Yuyeon “Yuyu� Kim, Graphic Designer Carlyn Madden, Arts Education Manager Steven Mazzola, Grants Program Manager Carolyn Parker, Office Manager Keona Pearson, Public Art Coordinator Marquis Perkins, Director of Outreach and Communications Regan Spurlock, Associate Grants Manager Zoma Wallace, Curator & Arts Collections Manager
Lionell Thomas Executive Director
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Photo | Ryan Holloway
Introduction
18.9
1.1
MILLION $
Visitors to the District of Columbia in 2012
BILLION
Economic impact of the arts and culture to our local economy
Great cities throughout the world have been and continue to be defined and remembered for the artistic and cultural contributions that they make to society. Creativity and ingenuity are integral components to the rich tapestry that makes our city so remarkable. Washington, DC is home to some of the nation’s oldest arts organizations, and has a rich tradition of arts and culture. That tradition continues to be carried forward as many of nation’s oldest institutions for arts and culture are still thriving today. The District, with her abundance of artists and arts practitioners, is poised to continue her rich legacy of championing the arts and culture. As a city, we are positioned to embrace our role as the cultural capital of the United States. With nearly 19 million visitors to our city each year and over $1.1 billion in economic activity generated by the arts, practically every industry in the District is touched by the arts. In Washington, DC, the arts mean business. The arts and humanities provide deep and lasting benefits for our city including jobs creation, economic prosperity, community development, and most importantly the inherent value.
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FY2012 Revenues
DCCAH received funding through the following channels:
Local Funding
Generated from DC taxpayer dollars. This provides support for the agency’s funding programs and general operations.
Federal Funding
Provided by the National Endowment for the Arts to support the arts in under-served communities and arts education.
Intra-district Funding
Funding transferred between District agencies to support joint projects and programs.
Capital Funding
Up to one percent of city capital improvement project funds is set aside for the commission, purchase and installation of public artworks. Capital Funding
$2.7 Million
BUDGET AND FUNDING BREAKDOWN
Federal Funding $787,000
16% Local Funding $3.9 Million
78%
Intra-District Funding $300,000
6%
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Ward Report
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10 Awards totaling
$178K
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13 Awards totaling
1$59K
32 Awards totaling
$201K
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5
13 Awards totaling
$218K 49 Awards totaling
$1M
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18 Awards totaling
$716K
$3,217,555
153
9 Awards totaling
$152K
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9 Awards totaling
$191K
awards
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The arts have been an inseparable part of the human journey; indeed, we depend on the arts to carry us toward the fullness of our humanity. We value them for themselves, and because we do, we believe knowing and practicing them is fundamental to the healthy development of our children’s minds and spirits. That is why, in any civilization—ours included—the arts are inseparable from the very meaning of the term ‘education.’ We know from long experience that no one can claim to be truly educated who lacks basic knowledge and skills in the arts.
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Totaling
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National Standards for Arts Education
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Grant Programs and Grantees
Arts Education Program (AEP)
Community Arts Grant (CAG)
Supports programs and activities implemented during the school day, on- or off-site, as well as in after-school and summer programs.
Supports small-scale projects (budget under $100,000) to promote arts and humanities activities to District residents.
Assane Konte Cathedral Choral Society of Washington, DC Choral Arts Society of Washington City at Peace Critical Exposure Dance Place DC Scores Folger Shakespeare Library GALA Hispanic Theatre Hope House Hung Tao Choy Mei Leadership Institute Marissa Long Mentors of Minorities in Education Multi-Media Training Institute National Building Museum Split This Rock The Parkmont School The Patricia M. Sitar Center for the Arts The Phillips Collection The See Forever Foundation The Selma M. Levine School of Music The Textile Museum The Washington Ballet Thurgood Marshall Academy Washington Bach Consort Washington Youth Choir Words Beats & Life Young Playwrights Theater, Inc.
gr t Pro ams Gr n a an Gr te es ograms t Pr an Gr
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Abraham and Laura Lisner Home for Aged Women African Continuum Theatre Coalition Audrey L. Brown Building Bridges Across the River Capital City Symphony Capitol Movement, Inc. Dance Institute of Washington DC Blues Society, Inc Dog and Pony DC, Inc. Free Minds Book Club and Writing Workshop Friends of Peirce Mill Holly Bass Jocelyn Frank Joy Jones Joy of Motion Dance Center, Inc. KanKouran West African Dance Co. Kim Roberts Maru Montero Dance Company Miriam’s Kitchen, Inc. Pan American Symphony Orchestra Patrick McDonough Rex Weil Ruth Stenstrom Sandra Y. Johnson Smithsonian Institution’s Anacostia Community Museum Solas Nua, Inc. Sukumar Srinivasan (Indian Visions) Teaching for Change Teatro De La Luna (Moon Theatre) The Georgetown Theatre Company The In Series, Inc. The Inkwell The Selma M. Levine School of Music The Shakespeare Theatre The Textile Museum Theater Alliance of Washington Trustees of the Corcoran Gallery of Art Washington Bach Consort Washington DC Jewish Community Center, Inc. Washington Sculptors Group Washington Storytellers William Stephens Woolly Mammoth Theater Company Words Beats & Life Young Playwrights Theater, Inc.
Cultural Facilities Projects (CFP)
Festivals and City Arts Projects (FCAP)
One-time capital funding support in the form of matching grants to help defray costs related to the improvement, expansion and rehabilitation of existing buildings owned or leased by nonprofit cultural institutions.
Funds arts festivals or festivals with significant arts components that encourage growth and promote awareness of quality arts activities, support local artists, stimulate economic benefits to the community, promote a sense of community identity, and make arts experiences accessible to District residents and visitors.
East of the River (EOR) Support for arts presentations and programs that directly benefit residents living east of the Anacostia river. Funding may include direct support for staff implementing activities. CityDance Ensemble DC Creative Writing Workshop, Inc. East of the River Boys and Girls Steelband Environmental Film Festival in the Nation’s Capital Life Pieces To Masterpieces, Inc. National Hand Dance Association PEN/Faulkner Foundation Serenity Players Sewing Opportunities Never Ending (S.O.N.E.) Smithsonian Institution’s Anacostia Community Museum The Essential Theatre The Selma M. Levine School of Music The Washington Ballet Young Playwright’s Theatre, Inc.
Atlas Performing Arts Center Capital Fringe, Inc. Cultural Development Corporation of DC Cultural Tourism DC Dakshina/Daniel Phoenix Singh Company Dance Institute of Washington Dance Place DC Film Alliance Festivals DC, Ltd. Ford’s Theatre Society FotoDC French-American Cultural Foundation GALA Hispanic Theatre John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts Post Classical Ensemble Solas Nua, Inc. Step Afrika! USA, Inc. The In Series, Inc. The Shakespeare Theatre Transformer, Inc. Trustees of the Corcoran Gallery of Art Washington Bach Consort Washington DC Jewish Community Center, Inc. Washington Performing Arts Society
Vess el of W in
Arch Development Corporation Atlas Performing Arts Center Building Bridges Across the River Capitol Hill Arts Workshop Dance Institute of Washington Dance Place GALA Hispanic Theatre Howard Theatre Restoration, Inc. Kipp DC Community Arts Center Kirov Academy of Ballet of Washington, DC Meridian International Center Sixth & I Historic Synagogue Hill Center at Old Naval Hospital The Selma M. Levine School of Music The Shakespeare Theatre The Studio Theatre, Inc. The Washington Ballet Trustees of the Corcoran Gallery of Art Washington DC Jewish Community Center, Inc.
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by
Sham n o Fo
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Grant Programs and Grantees
Grants-In-Aid (GIA) General operating support for DC-based arts and humanities nonprofits. Arch Development Corporation Art Enables Atlas Performing Arts Center Building Bridges Across the River Capital Fringe, Inc. City Arts, Inc. CityDance Ensemble Constellation Theatre Company Critical Exposure Cultural Development Corporation Cultural Tourism DC Dance Institute of Washington DC Youth Orchestra Program Environmental Film Festival Gay Men’s Chorus of Washington Festivals DC, Ltd Free Minds Book Club and Writing Workshop Friends of Fillmore Arts Center International Arts and Artists John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts Joy of Motion Dance Center, Inc. Life Pieces To Masterpieces, Inc. National Symphony Orchestra Association Opera Lafayette PEN/Faulkner Foundation Smith Farm Center for the Healing Arts Solas Nua, Inc. SpeakeasyDC Step Afrika! USA, Inc. Taffety Punk Theatre, Inc. The Patricia M. Sitar Center for the Arts The Phillips Collection The Selma M. Levine School of Music The Shakespeare Theatre The Studio Theatre, Inc. The Textile Museum The Theatre Lab School of the Dramatic Arts The Thomas Circle Singers The Washington Ballet The Washington Chorus The Washington National Opera Transformer, Inc. Washington DC Jewish Community Center, Inc. Washington Drama Society, Inc. (dba Arena Stage) Washington Project for the Arts Woolly Mammoth Theater Company Words Beats & Life Young Playwrights Theater, Inc.
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Individual Artist Grants (IAG) Supports the creation and/or presentation of innovative arts projects. Alan Sharpe Amy Oden Assane Konte Christon Bacon Daniel Phoenix Singh Dave Lilling Dewey Oritz, Jr. Dolen Perkins-Valdez Helanius J. Wilkins James Balls James F. Byers, Jr. John Moletress Jonathan Harris Gann Karen L.B. Evans Katherine Jordan Kim Roberts Lada Galina-Gabrovska Marc Anthony Nelson Michelle Jones Norman Allen Regie Cabico Robert Michael Oliver Roya Bahrami Samuel A. Miranda Sean Hennessey Shawn Short Wendy Thorbjornsent
The Public Art Building Communities (PABC) Program available to individual artists and organizations to create and install permanent or temporary public artwork that enhances District neighborhoods. Deirdre Saunders National Museum of Women in the Arts
UPSTART Program (UPS) Intensive capacity building program for DC-based arts and humanities nonprofits. 826DC Dance Place Festivals DC, Ltd. Step Afrika! USA, Inc. Washington Bach Consort Young Playwrights Theater, Inc.
Arts Education
Photo | Ryan Holloway
SYEP: Summer Youth Employment Program Summer 2012 was a very exciting summer for the DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities (DCCAH) and the 2012 Summer Youth Employment Program. DCCAH partnered with the Department of Employment Services (DOES) to provide an enriching and constructive 6-week, summer work experience for 70 youth workers at 8 of the city’s leading creative businesses and provided artsfocused job opportunities in the Creative Economy.
In 2012, DCCAH chose to expand on successful career development by featuring more relevant aspects of youth culture. DCCAH used weekly workshops to highlight positive elements of Hip-Hop Arts for youth to access the essential building blocks of the workplace through building youth’s skills in Learning and Innovation, Digital Literacy and Career and Life by touching on fundamental skills such as critical thinking and problem solving, creativity and innovation, collaboration, media literacy, cross-cultural interaction, leadership, and social responsibility.
One of the DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities’ goals was to highlight creative arts career pathways that exist in the city so that youth would be provided with opportunities to pursue and obtain the appropriate education and training to secure careers related to their talents and interests. Through our seven worksites, youth were exposed to careers in technical theatre, broadcast journalism, arts administration, visual arts, performing arts, marketing, media arts, and photography. As a result, participating youth received handson experience working in the arts sector and gained critical arts learning and enrichment.
Students developed several avenues for personal expression and social change such as public service announcements, photography, visual arts, and performing arts. Topics included the rise of gas prices, media influence, health and nutrition, stereotyping through image and fashion, coping with pain & loss, and water conservation. A very special thank you to our partner worksites and individual artists that devoted their time and expertise to deliver our programming. DCCAH Worksites
• Capital Fringe Festival • City Arts • F.R.E.S.H.H. (Females Representing
Every Side of Hip-Hop)
• GALA Hispanic Theatre
• Guerilla Arts Ink • Theatre Lab School of Dramatic Arts • The Powell House Project • We ACT Radio
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Encore
Waterline
Golden LIgh
New York Avenue Project
5x5, Home Mender
Agititate! Mobile Sculpture
Murals DC, Ben’s Chili Bowl
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Public Art 2012 Completed Commissioned Projects Waterline Sculptures Artist
hts
Location Completed
David Hess Capitol l Riverfront BID/ Canal Park, M to I Sts., SE September 2012
These three large scale sculptures were created by artist David Hess. They are built with 4” stainless steel pipe creating large curving lines which appear to be continuous as all the ends are below ground. Hess’ work suggests that the water that was once flowing through the canal, which was built by L’Enfant and eventually closed in 1876, is still flowing under the park. Budget: $400,000.
Golden Lights Artist Location Completed
Alexander Cooper Golden Triangle BID, Connecticut Ave., K St. to Jefferson Place, NW November 2012
5x5, Henry Box Brown
Golden Lights is a programmable LED lighting project by lighting designer Alexander Cooper along the Connecticut Avenue corridor from K Street to Jefferson Place, NW. Golden Triangle BID’s Golden Lights received the DC Committee of 100’s 2013 Vision Award for innovative city planning and preservation. Budget: $200,000.
5x5 2012, Temporary Public Art Biennale Artists Location Completed
5 Curators, 25 Artists City-wide August 2012
5x5 is DCCAH’s signature public art initiative aimed at activating all eight Wards of the District through temporary public art installations. The 2012 inaugural launch resulted in over twenty-five temporary art installations and projects by local, regional and international artists. Three 5x5 commissioned public art projects have been selected by the Americans for the Arts (AFTA) Public Art Network’s Year in Review Top 50 Projects of 2012. Budget: $650,000.
Agitate! Mobile Sculpture Artist Location Completed
Roberto Delgado Anacostia High School August 2012
Agitate! is an interior mobile sculpture designed and fabricated by artist Roberto Delgado through workshops with Ward 8 students at the newly renovated Anacostia Senior High School. Budget: $55,000.
Encore Artist Location Completed
Zachary Oxman 620 T St., NW April 2012
The sculpture, created by artist Zachary Oxman, is a monumental stainless steel figure of Duke Ellington sitting upon a three dimensional treble clef, and piano keys that shift in scale as they spiral upward from a staff which soars into infinitum. Budget: $150,000.
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PABC: Public Art Building Communities
The Public Art Building Communities grant (PABC) is available to individual artists and organizations to create and install permanent or temporary public artwork that enhances District neighborhoods. Eligible projects include, but are not limited to sculpture, mosaics, artistic streetscape improvements, murals, paving patterns, video installations, custom benches, stained glass windows, artistic gates and railings. Funding is available for all fees associated with the design, fabrication and installation of the artwork(s) including artist fees, materials, insurance, engineering, shipping, fabrication and installation services, permits, copyright registration, and photographic documentation. Projects must have a lifespan of at least five (5) years. Howard Theatre Restoration – JazzMan COMPLETED April 2012 A figure of a jazz musician playing a trumpet, is built as an intricate geometric matrix containing an interior universe of objects relating to the spirit of jazz music. Artists Brower Hatcher and Sean Hennessey. Grant Amount: $60,000 The Golden Triangle BID and the WMATA Art in Transit Program – Farragut Spheres
Capitol Riverfront Business Improvement District – Water Pylons
t
Sp he re s
COMPLETED April 2012 Transformation of the New Jersey Avenue underpass with the use of color and light to create a modern representation of water and a gateway into the Capitol Riverfront community and northern banks of the Anacostia River. Artist: Robert Kent Wilson Grant Amount: $25,000 National Museum of Women in the Arts – New York Avenue Sculpture Project COMPLETED March 2012 Recycled tires that have been cut, shaped, folded, then woven into dynamic, highly textured sculptures. Artist Chakaia Booker. Grant Amount: $75,025
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Dan ce Pl ac e
u ag rr Fa
COMPLETED April 2012 The artwork consists of 20 artistic custom hole-filled aluminum spheres backlit with LED lights to illuminate the streets for workers, metro riders and visitors in the Golden Triangle. Artist Michael Enn Sirvet. Grant Amount: $75,000.
2012 MURALS DC
M a n
In partnership with the Department of Public Works (DPW) Murals DC was created to replace illegal graffiti with artistic works, to revitalize sites within communities in the District of Columbia, and to teach young people the art of aerosol painting. This initiative aims to positively engage the District’s youth by teaching proper professional art techniques, providing supplies, and a legal means to practice and perform their artistic skill in a way that promotes respect for public and private property and community awareness.
zz Ja
Artists, teams and organizations participating in the program are selected by a committee based on their capacity to instruct and execute work in the graffiti style and engage youth and community members in the creation of the murals. Each mural reflects the character, culture and history of the neighborhoods in the District. Mural site selection is based on areas of the District with high incidence of illegal graffiti as identified by DPW and other agencies. Total Budget: $100,000.
Murals DC 2012 Artist: Aniekan Udofia Location: Ben’s Chili Bowl, 1213 U Street, NW Artist: Alicia “Decoy” Cosnahan Location: 13th and Park Rd, NW Artist: Eric B. Ricks Location: 8th and S Street, NW Artist: Juan Pindea Location: MacFarland Middle School, 4400 Iowa Ave., NW Artist: Daniel “Pose2: Hopkins“ Location: Oasis Market, 1179 3rd Street, NE Artist: Cita “CHELOVE” Sadeli Location: Dance Place, 3225 8th Street, NE
$
2.7
MILLION
2012 Public Art Capital Budget
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Events
Poetry Out Loud Poetry Out Loud seeks to foster the next generation of readers by building on the resurgence of poetry as an oral art form, as seen in the slam poetry movement and the popularity of hip-hop music. Through Poetry Out Loud, students can master public speaking skills, build self-confidence, and learn about their literary heritage.
District of Columbia FINALS
On March 13, DCCAH hosted the Poetry Out Loud DC state finals. Nine students participated at Arena Stage for the chance to compete at the national competition at a Herman Center. The event was hosted by Christylez Bacon with performances from the DC Youth Slam Team, Regie Cabico and two teachers, Lisa Pegram, Washington Latin PCS, and Monet Cooper, Capital City PCS.
Banneker High School
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First Place:
Garrett Jansen
St. Anselm’s Abbey School Second Place:
Chesley Swann Third Place
Grey Butler
Calvin Coolidge High School
Larry Neal Writers’ AwardS Since 1981, the DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities has recognized and celebrated the literary accomplishments of the District’s writers through the Larry Neal Writers’ Awards. The honor commemorates the artistic legacy and vision of cultural understanding of Larry Neal (1937-1981), a renowned author, academic and former DCCAH executive director. DCCAH received more than 150 submissions from the local emerging and established writers. The awards ceremony took place on Friday May 4, 2012 at the Folger Shakespeare Library’s Elizabethan Hall. It was held in partnership with the PEN/Faulker Foundation. Julie Otsuka, 2012 winner of the PEN/Faulkner Award for Fiction, provided opening remarks.
Winners of the 29th Annual Larry Neal Writers’ Competition POETRY Adult Awards 1st—Sandra Beasley 2nd—Holly Bass 3rd—Fred Joiner Teen Awards 1st—Asia Alston | Duke Ellington School of the Arts 2nd—Lauryn Nesbitt | Duke Ellington School of the Arts 3rd—Idia Leigh | Duke Ellington School of the Arts Youth Awards 1st—TyJuan Hogan | Charles Hart Middle School 2nd—Muhammad Ali | Charles Hart Middle School 3rd—LaShanda Jones | Charles Hart Middle School
FICTION Adult Awards 1st—Abbey Chung 2nd—Robert Williams 3rd—Gabriel Louis Teen Awards 1st—Kehinde Dosunmu | School Without Walls 2nd—Marcus Brown | Duke Ellington School of the Arts 3rd—Cara Rancin | Duke Ellington School of the Arts Photos | Jati Lindsay
Youth Awards 1st—Shu Yu Offner | St. Peter School 2nd—Claire Schmitt | Lafayette Elementary School
DRAMATIC WRITING 1st—Randy Baker 2nd—Paco Madden 3rd—Danielle Mohlman
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FRIDAY August 24
SATURDAY August 25
The DRUM Atlas Performing Arts Center 1333 H St, NE 6:00 pm
Let’s Get Physical!: Workshop series The Atlas Performing Arts Center 1333 H St, NE 1:00 pm - Bharatanatyam, by Dr. Janaki Rangarajan 2:00 pm - Argentine Tango, by Pontitango 3:00 pm - Capoeira, by Int’l Capoeira Angola Foundation
This performance saluted the staple that connects every culture around the world – The Drum. Guests enjoyed an evening of rhythmic percussive foot performances from countries across the globe. Also was featured a multicultural marketplace.
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Dance Asia 2012 Millennium Stage at John F. Kennedy Center 6:00 pm - Guests reveled in the mystery & enchantment of Asian Maskquerade, witnessed the vivacity of movement and partook in the dance. Dance Asia Alliance, Ancient Rhythms Dance Company.
Events
Dance DC Festival August 24-25, 2012 DCCAH hosted the 9th Annual Dance DC Festival: City Rhythms—a festival which highlights folk traditions of the world through live music and dance. Free main stage performances and workshops were held at The Atlas Performing Arts Center, Millennium Stage at John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts and Twelve Lounge. The festival commenced with The Drum, a kaleidoscope of percussive foot performances with dance traditions from India, Ireland, Africa and the United States which took to the stage to salute the staple instrument connecting every culture around the world. The closing event, Move N’ Groove, celebrated the official dance of the District of Columbia, Hand Dancing. The National Hand Dance Association led the audience in demonstration and instruction, and culminated with an electrifying hand dance party.
Photos | Ryan Holloway
SATURDAY August 25 Move N’ Groove: An all out Hand Dance Party! Twelve Lounge 1123 H St, NE 7:00 pm - The festival closed with DC’s own native dance, by The National Hand Dance Association.
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Events
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Mayor’s Arts Awards September 13, 2012 The Mayor’s Arts Awards and Mayor’s Awards for Arts Teaching are the most prestigious honors conferred by the city on individual artists, teachers, nonprofit organizations and patrons of the arts. The DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities presented the 27th Annual Mayor’s Arts Awards Thursday, September 13, 2012 at the Historic Lincoln Theatre. The special Mayor’s Arts Award for lifetime Achievement was presented to legendary film producer and director, George Stevens, Jr. and African Heritage Dancers and Drummers’ Founding Artistic Director Melvin Deal. The night was also highlighted with a Mayor’s Arts Award for Visionary Leadership presented to Anthony A. Williams and a Mayor’s Arts Award of Special Recognition presented to Paul Jorgensen. The 27th Annual Mayor’s Arts Awards included performances by the Poem-cees, Nistha Raj, Christylez Bacon, Tiempo de Tango, Jones-Hayward School of Dance, Urban Artistry, Rev. Nolan Williams, National Hand Dance Association, and the African Heritage Dancers and Drummers.
Winners of the 27th Annual Mayor’s Arts Awards Excellence in an Artistic Discipline StepAfrika! Inc. Excellence in Service to the Arts Atlas Performing Arts Center Washington Performing Arts Society
Innovation in the Arts Art Enables Outstanding Contribution to Arts Education Free Minds Book Club & Writing Workshop Outstanding Emerging Artist Bohemian Caverns Jazz Orchestra
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Photos | Jati Lindsay
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DOLORES KENDRICK Poet Laureate of the District of Columbia
On May 14, 1999, native Washingtonian Dolores Kendrick was named the second Poet Laureate of the District of Columbia. Ms. Kendrick authored the award-winning poetry book, The Women of Plums, published in 1989. A musical CD based on the book was released in 1996, winning rave reviews from music critics nationally. Ms. Kendrick hosts a variety of events annually to raise awareness and respect for the art of poetry in the District. For Black History Month in February 2012, she hosted a day of African-American poetry for the community to engage with famed local and national literary activists at her Poet in Progress event. Additionally, Ms. Kendrick’s Young Champion Poets Program enhances the creativity and vision of DC’s energetic young poets by providing opportunities for them to write and perform original poetry. Her recent readings include the Celebration for Lucille Clifton, held at James Madison University in Richmond, VA. She also continues to work on her Aix-en-Provence program, developing poetry exchanges between French and American students.
Winners of the 27th Annual Mayor’s Awards for Arts Teaching Performing Arts Kenneth Dickerson | Roosevelt Senior High School Language Arts Koye Oyediji | Duke Ellington School of the Arts Visual Arts Jennifer Sonkin | Cesar Chavez Public Charter School
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DCCAH Mission Our Mission is to provide grant funds, programs and educational activities that encourage diverse artistic expressions and learning opportunities, so that all District of Columbia residents and visitors can experience the rich culture of our city.
DCCAH Partners
Acknowledgments
Artomatic
Vincent C. Gray, Mayor of the District of Columbia
Cultural Alliance of Greater Washington
2012 DC CITY COUNCIL
Culture Capital
Kwame Brown | Chairman
DC Arts & Humanities Education Collaborative
David Catania | At-Large Phil Mendelson | At-Large/Chairman Vincent Orange | At-Large Jim Graham | Ward 1 Jack Evans | Ward 2 Mary Cheh | Ward 3 Muriel Bowser | Ward 4 Kenyan McDuffie | Ward 5 Tommy Wells | Ward 6 Yvette Alexander | Ward 7 Marion Barry | Ward 8
Humanities Council of Greater Washington Mid-Atlantic Arts Foundation National Endowment for the Arts Washington Area Lawyers for the Arts