Mary Becht Receives Ray Hanley Innovation Award

Cultural Division Leader honored at U.S.

Urban Arts Federation Meeting in Seattle

 

Mary Becht, Director of the Broward County Cultural Division received Americans For the Arts' United States Urban Arts Federation (USUAF) - Ray Hanley Innovation Award at a private event in June. A coalition of leaders from the country's 60 largest cities - USUAF established the award in 2007 to honor both Hanley and others who make outstanding individual contributions to arts and culture in American cities. 

This award is the fourth annual award of recognition to be received by Becht and the Broward Cultural Division in the last decade including, the First Annual Arts and Culture Award from National Association of Counties (NACo) in 1990; Arts Administrator of the Year Award from Arts Management News Service of Columbia College, Chicago in 2002 and Public Leadership in the Arts Award from NACo in 2004. 

The award presentation coincided with the 2009 Americans for the Arts national convention, which brought 1,200 arts leaders to Seattle for three days of meetings, high-profile speakers, and strategic planning.

In making its choice for the award, the USUAF selection committee highlighted Mary's achievement over her career, recognizing her work in advancing public art, cultural facility development, the artists entrepreneur program, and other program innovations that have served as a model for her peers around the country.

"Mary Becht has demonstrated extraordinary leadership and with this award, is nationally recognized for developing innovative programs and initiatives to advance arts and culture in Broward County. Her colleagues from America's top 60 cities are inspired by her creativity and success," said Michael Killoren director of the Mayor's Office of Arts & Cultural Affairs in Seattle and president of the USUAF.

As president of the Greater Columbus Arts Council from 1985 until his untimely death in 2006, Ray Hanley was the driving force behind cultural development in Columbus, Ohio. He pushed artists, cultural organizations, arts educators, arts audiences, and the city itself to embrace the diversity and quality of the Columbus cultural community.  Because of his work, Columbus has a strong cultural community that attracts visitors to the city and has contributed to city pride among its residents. 

"A people's art is the genesis of their freedom."

                              Claudia Jones, Founder

                              London Carnival, 1959

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