Governor Pataki Announces Recipients Of 1999 Governor's Arts Awards

Albany, NY (October 22, 1999) - Governor George E. Pataki today announced the distinguished recipients of the 1999 Governor's Arts Awards. Governor Pataki will be joined by Ms. Kathleen Chalfant, renowned for her performance in the Broadway play, WIT; First Lady Libby Pataki and Richard J. Schwartz, Chairman of the New York State Council on the Arts in presenting this year's honorees.

The 1999 honorees of the Governor's Arts Awards include Trisha Brown, Hugh Hardy and Marion Jones Hawks. Also being honored are the Frederick Douglass Academy, Hallwalls Contemporary Arts Center, El Museo Del Barrio, Queens Council on the Arts, Roundabout Theatre Company, Syracuse Symphony Orchestra and Yaddo.

"The arts lift the spirit and challenge our minds," Governor Pataki said. "New York offers the richest and most diverse arts and cultural opportunities in the world."

"That is why it is with great pleasure that we honor ten of New York State's most revered arts individuals and organizations whose contributions have led to the enrichment of so many lives."

Established in 1966, at the request of Governor Nelson A. Rockefeller, the awards serve to focus attention on the significance of the arts in New York State. The Governor's Arts Awards recognizes the best of the arts community and celebrates outstanding individuals and organizations in their field. Nominations are made by the public and constituents, selected by the Council on the Arts and are then confirmed by the Governor. The late artist, Roy Lichenstein, a past Governor's Arts Award recipient, designed the unique "Starburst" award that will be presented to each honoree.

From 1990 through 1993, NYSCA's budget experienced its deepest cuts with a low of $26.1 million, a number not seen since the mid '70s. Governor Pataki has reversed the trend in the fiscal year 1995/96 when NYSCA began receiving regular budget increases and continues to do so. To date, NYSCA has received over $200 million in state funding.

The awards ceremony will begin at 7:00 p.m. on Monday, October 25th at the Metropolitan Museum of Art and will be followed by a cocktail reception at the Temple of Dendur at 8:30 p.m. The event will be taped for an hour and a half-long special, developed by the producers at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, to air later this fall on various cable stations throughout New York State.

The event is by invitation only.

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