Americans for the Arts and National Lieutenant Governors Association Honor Ellspermann’s Achievements

Thursday, July 24, 2014

Yesterday, July 24, Americans for the Arts and the National Lieutenant Governors Association (NLGA) presented Indiana Lt. Gov. Sue Ellspermann with the Public Leadership in the Arts Award for State Arts Leadership, which honors a public official who has demonstrated outstanding leadership in the advancement of the arts at the state level. Lt. Gov. Ellspermann will receive her award at the NLGA’s Annual Conference in Anchorage, Alaska, on July 24.

“The arts play an integral role in the social, educational and economic development of a state,” said Robert L. Lynch, president and CEO of Americans for the Arts. “We appreciate leaders like Lt. Gov. Ellspermann who are actively promoting and advocating for the arts on the state level.”

Lt. Gov. Ellspermann oversees the Lieutenant Governor’s Hoosier Women Artist Awards, which coincides with Indiana Women’s History Month. She is affiliated with the Girl Scouts of Indiana and has served on multiple review panels for contests featuring the culinary arts. While on the faculty at University of Southern Indiana, Lt. Gov. Ellspermann facilitated strategic planning sessions for Indiana Artisan, a state-wide program championing Indiana fine arts, crafts, and value-added food items. Additionally, she personally invested in the restoration and preservation of the historic Wollenmann home in her hometown of Ferdinand, Ind., with a special focus on retaining its original architectural features and artistic elements. 

“Artistic expression is a fundamental element in the fabric of any state,” said Lt. Gov. Ellspermann. “We as elected officials have an opportunity to support and promote the arts in many different ways. I have continued the tradition to showcase Indiana’s women artists in my own office, and I encourage businesses, public offices and others to consider the unique ways available that they can celebrate the beauty of local art in its many forms.