St. Louis, justifiably, is known for baseball and beer. But right up there with sports and suds is our increasing reputation as a center for the arts. The St. Louis Arts Awards, presented by the Arts and Education Council since 1992, honors individuals who have achieved a legacy of artistic excellence, as well as organizations and businesses that enrich the local arts and cultural community. This year’s event, chaired by Jim and Lynne Turley, takes place Jan. 19 at the Chase Park Plaza.
“The arts are critically important to shaping the vibrant community in which we live and work, and they instill the kind of discipline and creativity that employers seek in the workforce,” say the Turleys. “In addition to honoring outstanding artists, educators and advocates, proceeds from the awards help fund nearly 70 organizations throughout the bi-state region, yielding incredible cultural returns to St. Louis.”
Accepting the award for Lifetime Achievement in the Arts is Jill McGuire, who is retiring after nearly 30 years as executive director of Regional Arts Commission. Under her leadership, RAC has awarded more than 5,000 grants, totaling $65 million, to local arts organizations.
Ken and Nancy Kranzberg will be honored for Excellence in Philanthropy. The Kranzbergs have provided leadership and financial support to many arts organizations and projects, including a successful capital campaign for Laumeier Sculpture Park. They also were instrumental in the creation of Kranzberg Arts Center in Grand Center and the Northside Workshop.
The Corporate Leadership in the Arts Award goes to Warner Baxter and Tom Voss of Ameren, which has raised more than $2.7 million for A&E’s Workplace Giving Campaign over three decades. Baxter succeeded Voss as Ameren chairman, president and CEO when Voss retired in July.
Recognized for Excellence in the Arts are Denise Thimes, an accomplished jazz vocalist who also leads the Mildred Thimes Foundation for Pancreatic Cancer, named for her mother; and Shakespeare Festival St. Louis, which produces more than 250 public performances annually and is recognized as one of the foremost Shakespeare festivals in the country.
The Arts Innovators Award goes to Jim McKelvey and Doug Auer of Third Degree Glass Factory, who turned a dilapidated auto dealership/service station into a thriving glass-art studio and community arts center.
Winifred Crock, orchestra director at Parkway Central High School, is Art Educator of the Year. Crock, a music teacher for more than 25 years, promotes quality music education for all children. Under her guidance, Parkway Central received a Grammy Gold Signature Award as one of the top 10 high school music departments in the country.
World Wide Technology Inc. and the Steward Family Foundation serve as presenting sponsors for the awards. “My wife Thelma and I respect the courage, perseverance and inner passion that make artists strive for excellence, inspiring the rest of us,” says founder and chairman David Steward. “The St. Louis Arts Awards showcases their amazing talent and dedication. We welcome the community to join us in celebrating their contributions.”
[The 2015 St. Louis Arts Awards, presented by the Arts and Education Council, takes place Jan. 19 at the Chase Park Plaza. For information about tickets and sponsorships, call 314.289.4010 or visit keeparthappening.org. Presenting sponsors: World Wide Technology Inc. and Steward Family Foundation. Principal sponsors: Boeing, Edward Jones, Emerson, Ken & Nancy Kranzberg, Lynne & Jim Turley. Gift sponsor: Ameren. Stage & entertainment sponsor: Centene Charitable Foundation. Art Educator of the Year sponsor: Monsanto Fund. Gift bag sponsor: PNC Bank. Year in review sponsor: BMO Private Bank. Premier table sponsor: Bryan Cave. Media sponsors: St. Louis Public Radio 90.7 KWMU , St. Louis Business Journal. Major benefactors: BKD CPA s & Advisors, Ernst & Young, Lashly & Baer, Nestlé Purina PetCare, Sheldon Concert Hall and Art Galleries, Washington University in St. Louis, Webster University. Honoree luncheon sponsor: Regional Business Council. Kickoff reception sponsor: Lynne & Jim Turley. Production sponsor: Switch. Table sponsors: Arthur & Helen Baer Charitable Foundation, Basso at the Cheshire, Express Scripts Inc., Forum Studio, Greater Saint Louis Community Foundation, Greensfelder Hemker & Gale, HOK, Nancy & Ken Kranzberg, Moneta Group, James & Merry Mosbacher, Opera Theatre of Saint Louis, Ruthe Ponturo, PricewaterhouseCoopers, Dorte & James Probstein, Regional Arts Commission, RubinBrown, Saint Louis Art Museum, St. Louis Building & Construction Trades Council and Plumbers & Pipefitters Local 562, Shakespeare Festival St. Louis, Thompson Coburn, University of Missouri-St. Louis, US Bank, Washington University Libraries, Webster University- Leigh Gerdine College of Fine Arts.]
Pictured: Co-chairs Jim and Lynne Turley
Photo Courtesy of Arts and Education Council