Grand Arts Center Taking Nominations for Women of Achievement Through January 27

Have you been inspired by a woman in the arts? This is the question raised by Grand Center Inc. every year in preparation for the annual Visionary Awards, which recognizes the outstanding contributions of women in the arts. To make this event possible, Grand Center calls upon the public to help acknowledge these visionaries in the St. Louis region – the artists, advocates, teachers and philanthropists – who keep the arts alive and our communities thriving.

Nominations are open through Jan. 27, and include the following categories: Major Contributor to the Arts, Outstanding Arts Professional, Successful Working Artist, Outstanding Arts Educator and Emerging Artist. Grand Center especially encourages nominations that represent women from diverse disciplines and backgrounds.

Over the past nine years, more than 50 women have been honored, including such accomplished women like Kim Massie, Nancy Kranzberg, Jill McGuire, Juanita Hinshaw, Noemi Neidorff, Lee Nolting, Susan Slaughter, Ashley Tate, and Jessica Hentoff.

“We are so excited to be celebrating the 10th anniversary of this special recognition event,” said Marilyn Sheperd, vice president for development at Grand Center Inc. “St. Louis has so many talented women that have contributed to the arts in many significant ways, and the annual Visionary Awards allows us to honor the selected women at a beautiful and festive occasion.”

But their well-deserved recognition starts with simple a nomination from those whom they inspire. Nomination forms and instructions can be found at www.grandcenter.org or by contacting Marcia Quint, 314-289-1583 or marcia@grandcenter.org.

To commemorate the 10th anniversary, event organizers have selected a theme of “Putting it Together,” which, as Sheperd states, “speaks to how the process of creating art comes together – bit by bit, piece by piece – until a meaningful work of art or experience is created for all to enjoy.”

The 10th Annual Visionary Awards will be held May 16 at the Sheldon Concert Hall, 3648 Washington Blvd.

Grand Center is the major arts and entertainment district in the St. Louis region and is home to more than 30 arts organizations that demonstrate the depth and diversity of the city’s cultural life. The district hosts more than 1,500 cultural events each year and welcomes over 1.5 million visitors annually. Grand Center’s artistic renaissance began with the restoration of Powell Hall and the Fabulous Fox Theatre and continues today with the growing vitality of restaurants, retail, commercial and residential development. For more information about Grand Center and Grand Center Inc. visit grandcenter.org.

Information provided by Grand Arts Center