BELLOWS FALLS — The Vermont Arts Council, in association with the governor's office, has announced the recipients of the 2016 Governor's Arts Awards. These awards began in 1967 and are presented annually to celebrate educators, artists, performers, advocates, administrators, volunteers, and scholars.
Robert McBride of Bellows Falls, founding firector of the Rockingham Arts and Museum Project, is the recipient of The Margaret L. Kannenstein Award for Arts Advocacy. This award was inaugurated in 2015 and McBride is the second person to receive the award, according to a news release.
For over 20 years, McBride has kept the RAMP mission focused: integrating the arts into the long-term sustainability of the community by creating effective partnerships that initiate and support accessibility, affordable housing, artist town meetings, public arts initiatives, and policy making.
Each year when the governor chooses who will receive the Governor's Award, the Vermont Arts Council then identifies nominees from the same county. This year, Eric Aho of Saxtons River was chosen to receive the Governor's Award for Excellence in the Arts, so all five awards went to Windham County artists.
“Windham County has long been considered one of the strongest arts centers in Vermont,” said Vermont Arts Council Executive Director Alex Aldrich in the news release. “This year's Arts Awards honorees have played a vital role in the creative culture for decades.”
The Governor's Arts Awards celebration will be held at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 15, in the Michael S. Currier Center at The Putney School. Governor Shumlin will present the awards. Tickets for the event are available. There is no charge for the event, but there will be an Event Brite seating registration. Visit www.vermontartscouncil.org for details.