Press Release: Mayor Bowser Presents 34th Annual Mayor’s Arts Awards, Celebrating the Arts and Creative Communities of Washington, DC

By Press Release On Nov 6, 2019 Last updated Nov 6, 2019

News Release — Executive Office of the Mayor and the DC Office of Cable Television, Film, Music and Entertainment

November 6, 2019

CONTACT:

LaToya Foster (EOM)

Michael Mitchell (OCTFME)

Awards Recognize Outstanding Achievements in the Arts, Humanities, and Creative Industries Across the District

(WASHINGTON, DC) – Today, Mayor Muriel Bowser presented the 34^th Annual Mayor’s Arts Awards to honor artists and organizations and celebrate the District’s arts, humanities, and creative communities. The event was produced by DC Office of Cable Television, Film, Music and Entertainment (OCTFME) and the newly created DC Creative Affairs Office.

“The Mayor’s Arts Awards allows us to showcase and celebrate the artists and makers who shape our hometown flavor and dedicate themselves to sharing their gifts with our community,” said Mayor Bowser. “I am particularly delighted to award this year’s Award for Distinguished Honor to Andy Shallal, who has built Busboys and Poets into hubs of creativity that uplift and empower our artists and performers.”

The Mayor’s Arts Award for Distinguished Honor is presented to an individual, group, or non-profit organization whose contributions to arts and culture in the District have been substantial and consistent for at least 20 years.

For the first time, DC residents voted for awards winners via online polling for the 11 other categories, including four new categories to help make this year’s Mayor’s Arts Awards more inclusive.

The winners of the 34^th Annual Mayor’s Arts Awards were:

Mayor’s Arts Award for Distinguished Honor: Andy Shallal
Award for Excellence as a Community Arts Advocate: Vernard Gray
Award for Excellence in Arts Education: DC Scores
Award for Excellence in Media Arts The Content Farm
Award for Excellence in Performing Arts: Models Inc. Performing Organization
Award for Excellence in Visual Arts: Katie Burk
Award for Excellence in the Creative Industries: Ian Callender
Award for Excellence in the Humanities: Herta Feely
Award for Excellence in the Nightlife Economy: Marc Barnes
Award for Visionary Leadership: The Kennedy Center
Emerging Creative Award: Marco Kay Photography
The Larry Neal Writer’s Award: Xemiyulu Tapepechul

“DC has so many incredibly talented artists and creatives,” said OCTFME Director Angie M. Gates. “The new DC Creative Affairs Office was proud to produce the Mayor’s Arts Awards on behalf of Mayor Bowser. This award show gave us the opportunity to celebrate and recognize these individuals and organizations with the most prestigious honor the city has to offer the arts and creative community”

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