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For Immediate Release

Washington, DC —January 22, 2004—Americans for the Arts and The United States Conference of Mayors will present Baltimore Mayor Martin O’Malley with the 2004 National Award for Local Arts Leadership and Pennsylvania Governor Edward G. Rendell with the 2004 National Award for State Arts Leadership.

At the same ceremony, actor/producer Henry Winkler will receive the Legendary Artist Award, an award recognizing artists who use their talent and public personae to raise awareness for causes that benefit the public good.  Winkler will be honored for his work on behalf of children’s welfare, especially his involvement with the issues of dyslexia, hunger, adoption, and teenage drinking. Singer Tony Bennett will be presented the Arts Legacy Award, an inaugural award honoring an individual concerned with the advancement of the arts for future generations.  Bennett is responsible for spearheading the establishment of the Frank Sinatra School of the Arts, which opened its doors as a New York City public high school in September 2001.

The awards will be presented at the Mayors Arts Luncheon on Thursday, January 22 as part of the  Conference of Mayors 72^nd winter meeting, which will take place at the Capital Hilton in Washington, D.C.  These awards are part of a series of Public Leadership in the Arts Awards given annually by Americans for the Arts and The United States Conference of Mayors since 1997.  The awards honor elected officials and artists who have demonstrated outstanding leadership in the advancement of the arts. 

“These two elected public servants and two nationally prominent artists show us a number of ways in which the arts can benefit our fellow citizens.  Mayor O’Malley and Governor Rendell have each demonstrated their dedication to thoughtfully using the arts to spur economic development while enhancing the quality of life in the communities they serve,” said Robert L. Lynch, president and CEO of Americans for the Arts.  “And Henry Winkler and Tony Bennett show us how well-known artists can put their visibility to good use advancing the arts and other causes that help improve the human condition.”

“We honor these visionaries who have not only touched, but more importantly, changed the lives of many through their support of the arts,” said Hempstead, NY Mayor and Conference President James Garner.

Americans for the Arts is the leading nonprofit organization for advancing the arts in America. With offices in Washington, DC, and New York City, it has a record of more than 40 years of service. Americans for the Arts is dedicated to representing and serving local communities and creating opportunities for every American to participate in and appreciate all forms of the arts. Additional information is available at www.AmericansForTheArts.org.

Founded in 1933, the U.S. Conference of Mayors is the official nonpartisan organization of cities with a population of 30,000 or more. The primary roles of the Conference of Mayors are to: promote the development of effective national urban/suburban policy; strengthen federal-city relationships; ensure that federal policy meets urban needs; provide mayors with leadership and management tools; and create a forum in which mayors can share ideas and information. Find more information at www.usmayors.org.

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