by Max Marbut
Staff Writer
“This is an important time for America and a critical time for the arts,” commented keynote speaker Robert Lynch as he began his remarks at the Cultural Council of Greater Jacksonville’s 33rd Annual Arts Awards Tuesday at the Times-Union Center.
Lynch is the president and CEO of “Americans for the Arts,” a Washington, D.C.-based advocacy group credited with helping convince Congress to include $50 million for the arts in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.
Lynch also commented on his first impressions of Jacksonville as an arts community.
“The first thing I noticed when I got off the airplane was the public art in your airport,” he said. “Then I got to the Omni Hotel and discovered three floors of art. When I got to my room, I picked up a magazine and read about events in your city and was amazed that 70 percent were arts events.”
As a national advocate, Lynch has a unique perspective on how the arts affect communities and governments from the federal level to the local scene. He said in terms of the issues local governments consider high priorities like reducing violent crime and drugs, “The arts are part of the solution, not part of the problem. Having the arts in schools yields the benefit of better citizens.”
Lynch also said that of the 6 million arts-related jobs in America, more than 8,400 are in Jacksonville.
“The arts are America’s secret weapon,” he added then encouraged the local arts community to “do a better job getting the word out.”
Mayor John Peyton introduced Lynch and said he believes having a strong cultural community is fundamental to a vibrant and healthy city. Peyton received a round of applause when he pledged that when it’s time to craft the City’s budget the Cultural Council “will not be a sacrificial lamb.”
The event is also an opportunity for the Cultural Council to recognize the contributions of people in and to the arts community.
Regions Bank City President Marty Lanahan was presented this year’s Individual Award in recognition of her commitment to arts advocacy. She serves on numerous cultural boards and committees including the Florida Theatre and the Cultural Council.
The Corporate Award was presented to Bank of America which sponsors arts events and organizations including the Cummer Museum of Art & Gardens, the Museum of Contemporary Art (MOCA) Jacksonville and the Jacksonville Symphony Orchestra. The bank’s “Family Day” sponsorship at MOCA has allowed more than 20,000 people to visit the museum free of charge.
A Special Recognition Award was presented to The Community Foundation in Jacksonville which is marking the 20th anniversary of its “Art Ventures Fund.” More than $1 million in grants have been made to individual artists and small to mid-size arts organization.
Jack Mathews, district specialist in visual arts, dance and theatre for Duval County Public Schools, was named the 2009 Arts Educator and Agility Press, Inc. received the Small Business Award for donating printing services to many cultural organizations in the community.
This year’s Arts Awards was again a sellout with more than 450 people on the stage in the Moran Theatre at the Times-Union Center.
“The Cultural Council is very lucky to have so many dear friends in this community,” said Executive Director Robert Arleigh White.
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