On Jan. 20, local artists and their supporters will gather for the St. Louis Arts Awards, presented by the Arts and Education Council. The event, co-chaired by Jim and Lynne Turley, takes place in the Khorassan Room at the Chase Park Plaza.
“Our vibrant arts community is an essential part of what makes the bi-state area such a wonderful place to live, work and raise a family,” say the Turleys. “As co-chairs for the St. Louis Arts Awards, we join with the Arts and Education Council in supporting that community by honoring the outstanding artists, educators and arts advocates who contribute so much to so many.”
Claiming the 2014 award for Lifetime Achievement in the Arts are Carol North and Nicholas Kryah, artistic director and resident artist/technical director, respectively, of Metro Theater Company. After joining the company in 1977, the husband-and-wife team took it from a small, experimental troupe to an award-winning regional theater that draws on visual arts, music and dance to create distinctive works geared toward young audiences.
Honored for Excellence in Philanthropy are Thelma and David Steward of World Wide Technology, a $4 billion advanced technology solutions business. The Stewards give generously to the arts and other causes that focus on family, children and education. They’ve served on numerous local boards, including the St. Louis Symphony, Civic Progress of St. Louis and Harris-Stowe State University’s African American Business Leadership Council.
The Corporate Champion of the Arts Award goes to Edward Jones Partners and Associates, which has raised more than $3.7 million for the Arts and Education Council over the last 20 years through innovative workplace giving campaigns.
Accepting awards for Excellence in the Arts are the St. Louis Symphony, an internationally recognized orchestra with a strong commitment to education and community outreach, and Lee Nolting of COCA, a dance teacher who helped establish scholarship programs for students in need, some of whom now perform in the nation’s top dance companies.
The winner of the Arts Collaboration Award is the E. Desmond Lee Fine Arts Education Collaborative, which funds in-school arts programs and makes the region’s arts institutions accessible to more than 21,000 students from 120 area schools annually.
Heidi Morgan, a dance teacher at University City High School for more than 20 years, is Art Educator of the Year. Morgan, determined that all young people should experience the joy of dancing, has recruited countless students with disabilities to her classes.
Emerson serves as presenting sponsor for the event. Proceeds benefit the Arts and Education Council, which funds nearly 70 organizations throughout the bi-state region. “The awards celebrate the breadth of our arts community and the exceptional creative work happening here,” says A&E president Cynthia Prost. “We’re proud to recognize these achievements, and welcome everyone to join us in honoring the awardees.”
Photo by The Arts and Education Council
Pictured: David and Thelma Steward
[The 2014 St. Louis Arts Awards, presented by the Arts and Education Council, take place Jan. 20 in the Khorassan Room at the Chase Park Plaza. Presenting sponsor is Emerson; principal sponsors are The Boeing Co., Edward Jones, Lynne and Jim Turley and Wells Fargo Advisors. Major support provided by Ameren, BMO Harris Bank, Centene Charitable Foundation, Ken and Nancy Kranzberg, Monsanto Fund, Novus International Inc. and PNC Bank. Major benefactors include AT&T, BKD CPAs & Advisors, Bryan Cave, Ernst & Young, Laclede Gas Company, Sheldon Arts Foundation, Washington University in St. Louis and Webster University. Additional support provided by The Regional Business Council, Southwest Airlines and Switch. Table Sponsors include Arthur and Helen Baer Charitable Foundation, Contemporary Art Museum board of directors, COCA, COCA alumni, students and staff, Des Lee Collaborative Vision, E. Desmond Lee Fine Arts Education Collaborative, Express Scripts Inc., Greater Saint Louis Community Foundation, HOK, Lashly & Baer, Leigh Gerdine College of Fine Arts of Webster University, Maryville University, McCormack Baron Salazar, Mercy, Metro Theater Company, James and Merry Mosbacher, Nine Network, Opera Theatre of Saint Louis, PricewaterhouseCooper, RubinBrown, Saint Louis Art Museum, St. Louis Business Journal, St. Louis College of Pharmacy, St. Louis Community College, St. Louis Public Radio 90.7 KWMU, St. Louis Regional Chamber, the Steward Family Foundation, Stone, Leyton & Gershman, Thompson Coburn, University of Missouri-St. Louis and World Wide Technology Foundation. For information about sponsorships and tickets, call 314-289-4010 or visit keeparthappening.org. Follow #STLARTSAWARDS on Twitter for ongoing announcements.]
