American Academy of Dramatic Arts, Sacred Fools Theatre and More Among Hollywood Arts Council's 2015 Charlie Award Winners

Industry leaders who made significant contributions to the arts and culture of Hollywood were named recipients of the Hollywood Arts Council 29th Annual Charlie Awards. The awards ceremony, a fundraiser that supports arts programs for underserved children in the Hollywood area, will be held Friday, May 1 at the historic Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel. Honorees include Technicolor, Sunset Sound & Sound Factory, Roschen Van Cleve Architects, Emerson College Los Angeles, the American Academy of Dramatic Arts, Michael Kohn Gallery and Sacred Fools Theatre.

"Hollywood is home to groundbreaking thinkers and innovators like this year's honorees," said Shauna McClure, Executive Director of Hollywood Arts Council. "However the children of the area have little access to the arts. Part of our mission is to harness the talents of our community to inspire and enrich new generations of children to dream and achieve."

Founded in 1978, Hollywood Arts Council offers a variety of community based programs including Project SOAR (Students Overcoming All Risks), free professionally led performing and visual arts workshops at area schools and the annual Children's Festival of the Arts, a free, day long, interactive, all-ages celebration of art from around the world.

More than 300 art enthusiasts and community members will gather to fete these organizations for their demonstrated commitment to the arts and their enrichment of Hollywood's distinct cultural inheritance.

Industry Founders Award: Technicolor

Music Arts Award: Sunset Sound & Sound Factory

Special Recognition Award: Roschen Van Cleve Architects

Architectural Arts Award: Emerson College Los Angeles

Hollywood Arts Award: American Academy of Dramatic Arts

Visual Arts Award: Michael Kohn Gallery

Theatre Arts Award: Sacred Fools Theatre

KABC-TV entertainment reporter George Pennacchio, a longtime supporter of the Hollywood Arts Council, returns as Master of Ceremonies. Children from Melrose Elementary School under the direction of Project SOAR teaching artist Melissa Berman will perform a medley of songs. Artwork from students in Project SOAR will be on display. Event sponsors as of this date are Paramount Pictures and Walt Disney Studios. Kevin Weiler of Talent Plan is producing the ceremony. TV personality and travel expert Laura McKenzie is the honorary chair for the 29th Annual Charlie Awards.

Hollywood Arts Council is a membership organization open to all who believed that the arts and culture of Hollywood must play a role in the lives of residents and visitors. With more than 600 community-based members (individuals, businesses and organizations) and many successful projects, the Council has an impressive track record of service. As the only Arts Council in the city of Los Angeles, Hollywood Arts Council offers a strong, independent voice for promoting a vibrant cultural community by empowering, facilitating and advocating for the arts. It is guided by the belief that the arts revitalize people as well as communities.

The Hollywood Arts Council 29th Annual Charlie Awards luncheon is on Friday, May 1 at 11:30am at the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel, 7000 Hollywood Boulevard, Los Angeles. The event is open to the public. Tickets are $100 each and include a catered lunch. To purchase tickets or for more information, call (323) 462-2355 or visit www.hollywoodartscouncil.org.

Follow the Hollywood Arts Council on Facebook and Twitter: @HwArtsCouncil.

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