Virginians for the Arts recently announced winners of its Arts Build Communities Awards to recognize arts organizations that best demonstrate the ability to enhance the community, lift our spirits, and build a better quality of life. Says Virginians for the Arts President Peter Fields, “The awards showcase the ways the arts contribute to the overall quality of life in Virginia communities.”
PCA was awarded Honorable Mention for the Shining Star Award. The Shining Star Award is meant to recognize organizations whose contributions have stood “the test of time.”
Of the eighty-two arts organizations nominated for the awards, PCA is one of twenty-four to be recognized. PCA was nominated by Virginia Delegate David J. Toscano.
The awards will be presented at the ArtWorks for Virginia Conference 2010 Luncheon on January 27, 2010 in Richmond, Virginia. PCA is one of only two Charlottesville-based organizations to receive an Arts Build Communities Award.
The Barter Theatre, Abingdon, was selected to receive the Shining Star Award. With 150,000 annual patrons, The Barter Theatre was selected for the extraordinary impact it has had on the Abingdon community, the region, and on the Commonwealth of Virginia. The Prizery, South Boston, was selected to receive the Rising Star Award. The Rising Star Award is presented to an organization that contributes to and engages its community significantly, like the winner of the Shining Star award, but that is now not as well established.
Shining Star Finalists are Signature Theatre, Arlington; The Taubman, Roanoke; 1708 Gallery, Richmond, and Piedmont Arts Association, Martinsville. Rising Star Finalists are Empowered Women, International, Alexandria; Museum of the Shenandoah Valley, Winchester; Break the Glass Foundation, Chesapeake; and Gallery 5, Richmond.
Shining Star Honorable Mentions:
Alleghany Highlands Arts and Crafts Center, Clifton Forge
Bluemont: The Cultural Spirit of our Communities, Purcellville
Educational Theatre Company, Arlington
Greater Reston Art Center, Reston
Municipal Band of Charlottesville, Charlottesville
Piedmont Council of the Arts, Charlottesville
Pro-Art Association, Wise
Visual Arts Center of Richmond, Richmond
Wayside Theatre, Middleton
Rising Star Honorable Mentions:
Bay School Cultural Art Center, Mathews
Parsons-Bruce Art Association, South Boston
Southwest Virginia Community College, Richlands
The Barns of Rose Hill, Berryville
Tinner Hill Heritage Foundation, Falls Church
