07/25/2008
Contact:
Beth Garcia
Goodman Media for Americans for the Arts
212.576.2700 ext. 242 or bgarcia@goodmanmedia.com
Rhode Island State Representative Peter L. Lewiss Receives 2008 State Arts Leadership Award
WASHINGTON, DC — July 25, 2008 – Americans for the Arts, the nation’s leading nonprofit organization for advancing the arts in America, and the National Conference of State Legislatures presents the State Leadership Arts Award to Representative Peter L. Lewiss of Rhode Island. The award honors a public official who has demonstrated outstanding leadership in the advancement of the arts at the state level. It will be presented on Saturday at the National Conference of State Legislatures Annual Conference in New Orleans, LA, as part of the Public Leadership in the Arts Awards series.
“Rep. Lewiss has demonstrated exemplary leadership and dedication to public funding for the arts,” said Robert L. Lynch, president and CEO of Americans for the Arts. “His advocacy for the arts in Rhode Island has proven to be a tremendous success.”
Nominated by the Rhode Island State Council on the Arts, Rep. Lewiss receives the 2008 State Legislator Arts Leadership Award for his arts advocacy throughout the state. As primary sponsor of Artists Right Act, Rep. Lewiss has codified trust and agency relationship between artists and galleries. In turn, this has created a statutory warranty to protect consumers and collectors. In addition, Lewiss has served as Chair of the National Conference of State Legislators Economic Development Trade and Cultural Affairs Committee.
Rep. Lewiss has sponsored numerous resolutions to the US Congress by encouraging support and increased funding of the National Endowment for the Arts. Recently, he was a participant in the Pew Charitable Trust Study on Arts and the Economy. The state legislator is also a key supporter of legislation enabling Rhode Island State Council on the Arts (RISCA) to coordinate the arts districts throughout the State.
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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