Throughout her career, Sherron Long has been a leader in promoting the critical work of statewide arts membership organizations to advocate for the arts, arts education and the creative economy. She manages three statewide service organizations—the Florida Professional Theatres Association, which she created in 1981; the Florida Cultural Alliance, which she co-founded in 1983; and the Florida Association of Local Arts Agencies—which lead the state’s efforts to keep Florida’s investment in the arts as robust and vibrant as possible. She was chair of the State Arts Advocacy League and currently serves as chair of the State Arts Action Network (SAAN) where she has been particularly skillful in reaching out to colleagues to ensure all SAAN members are included in the conversation about SAAN's work through Americans for the Arts.

“I am delighted to be presenting Sherron with this award,” said Robert L. Lynch, president and CEO of Americans for the Arts. “Her commitment to Florida’s arts groups, working artists and arts enthusiasts is extraordinary. She is an unflagging advocate and outstanding leader for the arts and culture not only in Florida, but also on the national level.”

In addition, Ms. Long was an on-site evaluator for the National Endowment for the Arts' Dance Program for seven years and served for two years as president of the State Arts Advocacy League of America, the former national organization for state arts advocacy organizations. She also is the past president of Arts for a Complete Education/Florida Alliance for Arts Education.  She also taught theater, speech, dance and humanities at the high school and university levels and has directed and choreographed a number of productions in educational and professional settings.