Governor's Arts Awards
2009 Award Recipients
Governor Mitch Daniels and the Indiana Arts Commission will honor the following recipients for their outstanding achievements in and contributions to the arts in Indiana at an awards ceremony at Cornerstone Center for the Arts in Muncie, Indiana on September 25, 2009.
Angela Brown - Indianapolis, IN
Miss Brown’s 2004 Metropolitan Opera debut in the title role of Aida garnered instant attention from national and international print and broadcast media and catapulted her on to the world’s prestigious opera and symphonic stages. This award winning performing and recording artist is also a trail blazer on a mission to bring operatic and classical vocal performance to the masses through her unique recital program, “Opera from a Sistah’s Point of View.” Her awe-inspiring performance and zany opera plot descriptions resonate with a wide range of audiences and create a fresh awareness of the social and geographic diversity portrayed in this art form.
Photo by Philip Groshong: Angela Brown performing as Elisabetta in Don Carlo (Cincinnati Opera 2009).
Ball Brothers Foundation and the George and Frances Ball Foundation - Muncie, IN
For decades these foundations have founded, funded and provided leadership and vision for countless cultural organizations and events throughout Indiana. The Ball families recognized in the 1920s and 30s that the arts were a positive recruitment and retention tool for employees. Museums, libraries, orchestras and theaters owe their very existence to these two east central Indiana foundations.
International Violin Competition of Indianapolis - Indianapolis, IN
Since first focusing the world’s cultural spotlight on Indiana in 1982, the quadrennial International Violin Competition of Indianapolis (IVCI) has become one of the most acclaimed music competitions in the world today. Founded by the legendary Josef Gingold, “The Indianapolis” attracts violinists, ages 16-29, from around the globe to vie for one of the industry’s most coveted prize packages, including the launch of an international concert career and use of the Gingold Stradivarius. Annually, the Competition produces concerts and education programs for Hoosiers throughout the state.
Photo by Denis R. Kelly, Jr.: 2006 Gold Medalist Augustin Hadelich (Germany) playing his final note of the 2006 Competition with the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra.
Sweetwater Sound, Inc. - Fort Wayne, IN
The nation’s third largest retailer of musical instruments and sound technology is both an employer and supporter of numerous music and education related activities. In addition to supporting many music and arts non-profits in Fort Wayne through donations and sponsorships, Sweetwater opened its Academy of Music in 2008, complete with a 10-member teaching staff and state-of-the-art equipment. Today enrollment exceeds 100 students.
Photo: Sweetwater Sound President Chuck Surack in the showroom.
Vectren Corporatio
n - Evansville, IN
In addition to financial support for arts organizations in the communities served by this energy-producing corporation, Vectren also encourages their employees to contribute time and talent through leadership and volunteerism. The Vectren Foundation supports school corporations in their efforts to enhance students’ lives through art. Their commitment to the arts encourages others to follow their lead.
Schedule for 2009 Governor's Arts Awards
* All activities will take place at the Cornerstone Center for the Arts located at 520 East Main St., Muncie, IN, 47305
4:30 - 6:00 PM - Arts Exposé (Sponsor: Community Foundation of Muncie & Delaware Co.)
Local artists will showcase their work in a relaxed, informal setting, allowing attendees to gather before dinner.
6:00 - 7:45 PM - Dinner
A formal dinner, catered by Vera Mae's, will be served in the Colonnade Room.
8:00 PM - Awards Ceremony
Enjoy video vignettes, live performances, and the experience of honoring these exceptionally talented artists at the awards ceremony, held in the Edmund Burke Ball Auditorium.
9:30 - 11:00 PM - Afterglow
Continue your evening in the Great Room with the award recipients, live music, refreshments, and friends.
For more information about GAA '09, please call Cornerstone Center for the Arts at (765) 281-9503 or visit http://www.cornerstonearts.org/. You may also contact Laura Frank or Rex A. Van Zant at the Indiana Arts Commission at (317) 232-1268.
Ticket Information
Tickets for the entire evening (Arts Exposé, dinner, awards ceremony, and afterglow) are $80. "A la carte" tickets can be purchased for the Arts Exposé, awards ceremony, and afterglow for $10 each. Online ticket purchases will be available shortly. If you would like to order your tickets now, please print this RSVP form, fill it out, and return it to Cornerstone Center for the Arts by Wednesday, September 9.
Sponsorship Information
If you are interested in contributing to this memorable evening, please take a look at our sponsorship packet. Here you will find the benefits of sponsorship as well as the response form to make your gracious donation.Join this distinguished group of sponsors already committed to helping us celebrate the arts in Indiana:
Ball Brothers Foundation, Muncie
City of Muncie
Community Foundation of Muncie
Dennis, Wenger, and Abrel, Muncie
George and Frances Ball Foundation, Muncie
Ivy Tech of Muncie
Muncie Rotary
Directions to Cornerstone Center for the Arts
From Indianapolis: (approx. 1.5 hrs.)
I-69 North to exit 34
Take exit 34 for IN-67 toward Anderson/IN-32/Muncie
Follow signs for IN-32
Follow signs for Daleville/Yorktown/Muncie
Turn left at IN-32/W. Main St., follow IN-32
Turn right at IN-32/W. Jackson St.
Turn left at S. Monroe St.
Turn left at IN-32/E. Main St.
Cornerstone will be on your right
From Evansville: (approx. 4.5 hrs.)
Take US-150/US-41 North toward Terre Haute
Merge onto I-70 East toward Indianapolis
Exit onto I-65 N/I-70 E toward Columbus, follow I-70 E
Take exit 89 to merge onto I-465 N
Take exit 37 to merge onto I-69 N/IN-37 N, follow I-69 N
Take exit 34 for IN-67 toward Anderson/IN-32/Muncie
Follow signs for IN-32
Follow signs for Daleville/Yorktown/Muncie
Turn left at IN-32/W. Main St., follow IN-32
Turn right at IN-32/W. Jackson St.
Turn left at S. Monroe St.
Turn left at IN-32/E. Main St.
Cornerstone will be on your right
From Bloomington: (approx. 2.5 hrs.)
Take IN-37/N State Rd. 37, follow IN-37
Take the US-25/US-36/I-74/I-465 ramp to IN-37
Merge onto I-465 E/I-74 E/IN-37 N/ US-36, follow I-465 E/IN-37 N
Take exit 37 to merge onto I-69 N/IN-37 N, follow I-69 N
Take exit 34 for IN-67 toward Anderson/IN-32/Muncie
Follow signs for IN-32
Follow signs for Daleville/Yorktown/Muncie
Turn left at IN-32/W. Main St., follow IN-32
Turn right at IN-32/W. Jackson St.
Turn left at S. Monroe St.
Turn left at IN-32/E. Main St.
Cornerstone will be on your right
From Fort Wayne: (approx. 1.5 hrs.)
Take I-69 S/IN-1 S/US-27 S/US-30 W toward Indianapolis, follow I-69 S
Take exit 45 for IN-28/US-35 toward Alexandria/Muncie
Turn left at IN-28/W State Rd 28/US-35 (signs for Muncie)
Turn right at N. Wheeling Ave.
Turn left at W. Wysor St.
Turn right at N. Monroe St.
Turn right at IN-32/E. Main St.
Cornerstone will be on your right
2009 Award and Artist
Artwork by Indiana Artist India Cruse-Griffin.
For more information on this artist, please click here.
About the Governor's Arts Awards
The Governor's Arts Awards program was initiated in 1973. Conceived in partnership between the IAC and the Office of the Governor, the program recognizes and honors significant contributions to and profound positive impact on the arts and the state of Indiana. The awards are presented every two years.
Since its inception, the program has honored artists, individuals, educators, organizations, businesses, and communities for their efforts to further public awareness of the arts. Past recipients include both the famous and less famous of the arts world, major corporations and small businesses, large cities and small towns.
Award recipients are selected by an independent panel of distinguished representatives from Indiana's arts, education, business, public and private sectors. IAC conducts a public call for nominations and the panel reviews and scores nominations based on specific criteria. The criteria emphasize the total body of work or contributions of the nominee and the impact of the nominee's work on the cultural climate of the city, region, the state of Indiana, or on the national and international level. A limited number of recipients are selected from the field of nominees to receive this distinguished honor.
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