WASHINGTON – July 24, 2014 – Americans for the Arts, the nation’s leading nonprofit organization for advancing the arts and arts education, and the National Lieutenant Governors Association (NLGA) will present Indiana Lt. Gov. Sue Ellspermann with the Public Leadership in the Arts Award for State Arts Leadership, which honors a public official who has demonstrated outstanding leadership in the advancement of the arts at the state level. Lt. Gov. Ellspermann will receive her award at the NLGA’s Annual Conference in Anchorage, Alaska, on July 24.

“The arts play an integral role in the social, educational and economic development of a state,” said Robert L. Lynch, president and CEO of Americans for the Arts. “We appreciate leaders like Lt. Gov. Ellspermann who are actively promoting and advocating for the arts on the state level.”

Lt. Gov. Ellspermann oversees the Lieutenant Governor’s Hoosier Women Artist Awards, which coincides with Indiana Women’s History Month. She is affiliated with the Girl Scouts of Indiana and has served on multiple review panels for contests featuring the culinary arts. While on the faculty at University of Southern Indiana, Lt. Gov. Ellspermann facilitated strategic planning sessions for Indiana Artisan, a state-wide program championing Indiana fine arts, crafts, and value-added food items. Additionally, she personally invested in the restoration and preservation of the historic Wollenmann home in her hometown of Ferdinand, Ind., with a special focus on retaining its original architectural features and artistic elements. 

“Artistic expression is a fundamental element in the fabric of any state,” said Lt. Gov. Ellspermann. “We as elected officials have an opportunity to support and promote the arts in many different ways. I have continued the tradition to showcase Indiana’s women artists in my own office, and I encourage businesses, public offices and others to consider the unique ways available that they can celebrate the beauty of local art in its many forms.”

“We are thrilled that our lieutenant governor, Sue Ellspermann, is receiving this very deserved award. She is an enthusiastic leader who recognizes both the inherent and economic value of the arts in the lives of our citizens and communities,” said Lewis C. Ricci, executive director of the Indiana Arts Commission. “Lt. Gov. Ellspermann is committed to making Indiana a vibrant and successful place to live, work and build, and she embraces the key role of the arts in a winning formula.”  

“The National Lieutenant Governors Association (NLGA) is proud to honor Lt. Gov. Ellspermann for her leadership in the essential economic development and jobs arena of the arts,” said NLGA Executive Director Julia Hurst.

Americans for the Arts is the leading nonprofit organization for advancing the arts and arts education in America. With offices in Washington, D.C., and New York City, it has a record of more than 50 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.