Americans for the Arts, in partnership with the National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL), presented on December 11, 2015 the Public Leadership in the Arts Award for State Arts Leadership to Rep. Brent Yonts of Kentucky at NCSL’s Fall Forum in Washington, D.C.

Rep. Yonts received the award in recognition for his work on the national level to re-introduce the arts and culture to the members and staff of NCSL. In 2008-2009, Rep. Yonts chaired the Labor and Economic Development Committee, which includes the arts and culture as part of its policy portfolio, and embraced the Arts and Economic Prosperity Report and other economically based research on the value of the arts and culture to society. Rep. Yonts also oversaw NCSL’s first ever Arts and Culture Policy Directive on the Arts, Culture and Economic Development. He remains an active member as Vice-Chair of NCSL's Labor and Economic Development Committee and continues to promote the arts and culture.