April 12th at the 30^th Annual Governor’s Arts Awards, Free Arts of Arizona won the award for Community.  Mark Feldman accepted the award in front of a packed house at the Herberger Theater Center.  In attendance were many elected officials from the State of Arizona as well as leaders in both the arts and business communities. 

Since 1982, 138 distinguished Arizona artists, arts organizations, businesses, educators and individuals have been recognized for their passion, creativity and devotion to the excellence and diversity of Arizona’s arts and cultural community.  The Governor’s Arts Awards are presented in six categories: Artist, Individual, Arts in Education Organization, Arts in Education Individual, Business and Community.  

Our award is a Jeff Reich original entitled Pathways.  It is a stoneware pottery vessel and it is on display in our offices. 

Free Arts joins past Community honorees such as: The Drawing Studio of Tucson, Valley Youth Theatre, Chandler Center for the Arts, Childsplay, Inc., and Sedona Jazz on the Rocks to name a few. 

This award is a testament to our Founder Margaret Beresford, our founding executive director, Stephanie Small, all our current and former employees, the extremely hard work of over thousands of dedicated and passionate volunteers, our committed members of the Board of Directors and all the arts and culture organizations who have supported us over the years. 

We dedicate this award to the almost 60,000 children and youth we have served since our inception in 1993.

In addition to our recent acceptance of the 2011 Governor’s Community Arts Award, Free Arts of Arizona is proud and honored to receive the Arts & Business Council of Greater Phoenix 2011 Arts Organization of the Year Award! Free Arts is the only organization to have been recognized with the award twice during the Arts & Business Councils 21 years in existence. We accepted the award on behalf of the volunteers who make Free Arts’ programs possible and who on a weekly basis spark the creative spirit in the children of Maricopa County.

Free Arts of Arizona was awarded a Channel 8 “Be More” award in the “Be More…Creative – Outstanding Achievement in Arts & Culture” category for a second year in a row!  We were one of three finalists.  In addition, we were one of four finalists for the overall Nonprofit Organization of the Year Award.  More than 100 nonprofit organizations were nominated for the awards.

As a winner, Free Arts of Arizona will be featured in a primetime half-hour television special with the other winners in June on Channel 8. Stay turned for the date and all the details!

A special Thank You to David and Sam PR for nominating us and their support!

To view the other winners and get more information please visit the Channel 8 website at www.azpbs.org/bemore