January 18, 2005
Capitol Hilton
1001 16th Street NW
Washington, DC 20036

Americans for the Arts and The United States Conference of Mayors will present the Public Leadership in the Arts Awards at the Mayors Arts Luncheon held on Tuesday, January 18, 2005 during the 73nd Annual Conference of Mayors winter meeting. The 2005 Public Leadership in the Arts Awards honor elected officials and artists who have demonstrated outstanding leadership in the advancement of the arts. Meridian Mayor John Robert Smith will be presented with the National Award for Local Arts Leadership due to his public/private support for the Mississippi State University Riley Education and Performing Arts Center, and a $31 million project to restore the Grand Opera House of Mississippi. Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee will be presented with the National Award for State Arts Leadership for placing arts education at the forefront of his state and national agenda. In addition, Mayor Richard M. Daley will receive the 2005 Lifetime Achievement Award for among many accomplishments, spearheading the creation of Millennium Park, a $450 million cultural mega-project in the heart of Chicago. Peter Yarrow will receive the 2005 Legendary Artist Award for utilizing his stardom to conduct strong civic work and advancing the arts.