united states urban arts federation
USUAF Reports
The reports include city reports, annual statistics on budgets and programming, and other pertinent USUAF information.
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Ray Hanley Innovation Award
The (USUAF) established the Ray Hanley Innovation Award in 2007 to recognize outstanding individual contributions to arts and culture in American cities.
From the time he was hired as president of the Greater Columbus Arts Council (GCAC) in 1985 until his untimely death in 2006, Ray Hanley was the driving force behind cultural development in Columbus, OH. He pushed artists, cultural organizations, arts educators, arts audiences, and the city itself to embrace the diversity and quality of the Columbus cultural community. Because of his work, Columbus is enriched with a cultural community that other cities envy, that impresses visitors, and that community residents are proud to claim as their own.
Recipients of the Ray Hanley Innovation Award should meet the following criteria:
- Current or former Member of USUAF
- Innovator in the field in the area of public policy, programming, outreach, arts education, fundraising, and other special initiatives
- Risk-taking and pioneering
- Created innovative programs capable of duplication in other cities
- Recognized for their body of work and/or lifetime achievement
Only USUAF members may submit nominations for the Ray Hanley Innovation Award. Nominations are closed for 2010 and will re-open in May of 2011.
Past Ray Hanley Innovation Recipients
2010 Jill McGuire
Jill McGuire is founder and executive director of the Regional Arts Commission (RAC), the largest arts agency in the St. Louis region since it was created in 1985. Under her leadership, RAC has awarded more than 5,000 grants, totaling $65 million. She has been recognized nationally, regionally, and locally for her arts advocacy and creative approaches to grantmaking. In 2005, McGuire received the Selina Roberts Ottum Award, the most prestigious recognition in the arts administration field. McGuire also received the 2005 Missouri Arts Award in the category for Leadership in the Arts and the Grand Center Visionary Award for Outstanding Arts Professional.
2009 Mary Becht
Mary Becht, director of the Broward County Cultural Division in Fort Lauderdale, FL, received the 2009 Ray Hanley Innovation Award. The Broward County Cultural Division is dedicated to enhancing the cultural environment of Broward County through the development of the arts. The Division director since 1984, Mary has built many path-breaking and awar- winning programs in public art, cultural development, and leadership training, among others.
2008 Peggy Amsterdam
Peggy Amsterdam, president of the Greater Philadelphia Cultural Alliance, received the first Ray Hanley Innovation Award. The Cultural Alliance is the Philadelphia region's leading nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing the cultural sector, serving as a vital resource to more than 350 nonprofit member organizations and the broader cultural community. Since joining the Alliance in 2000, Ms. Amsterdam has earned wide praise for her visibility, accessibility, and responsiveness to cultural groups.