06/20/2008

Contact:
Beth Garcia
Goodman Media for Americans for the Arts
212.576.2700 ext. 242 or bgarcia@goodmanmedia.com


Americans for the Arts Presents National Award for Community Arts Leadership to George M. Irwin

Philadelphia, PA — June 20, 2008 — At its annual convention in Philadelphia, Americans for the Arts today presented the 2008 Selina Roberts Ottum Award to arts visionary George Irwin. The award recognizes the achievements of an individual who has made a meaningful contribution to the arts through local arts leadership.

“George Irwin’s long history of dedication, leadership and support for the arts is unwavering,” said Robert L. Lynch, president and CEO of Americans for the Arts. “His creativity, commitment and vision vastly contributed to bringing the arts to communities throughout the country.”

Irwin is a visionary and a giant of the local arts agency movement. He established the Quincy Society of Fine Arts in Illinois in 1947, setting a national example of local organizing. In 1960, he helped found and then lead the Community Arts Councils, Inc. and subsequently the Illinois Arts Council in 1963. Former Chair of the American Council of the Arts and one of the founding members of the Business Committee for the Arts, Irwin has pursued his vision with tireless joy, remaining integrally involved in cultural life nationally and locally.

The Selina Roberts Ottum Award is presented by Americans for the Arts and the National Endowment for the Arts.

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 48 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.

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