Arts Council Recognizes Applause Award Winners

 Nancy and Gary McRay, Lansing Community College and Dr. Brent Knight and Nathan Triplett Receive Applause Awards

LANSING, Dec. 3, 2014–The Arts Council of Greater Lansing is pleased to announce its 2014 Applause Award winners. This year’s recipients include Nathan Triplett who received the Civic Leadership Award; Lansing Community College and Dr. Brent Knight who received the Business Leadership Award; and Nancy and Gary McRay who received the Individual Leadership Award.

The honorees were recognized at the Arts Council’s 35th Annual Holiday Glitter event held on Dec. 2, 2014 at the University Club of MSU and each was presented with a beautiful handcrafted glass award created by Arts Council artist member Craig Mitchell Smith.

“Our annual event is the perfect forum for honoring our awardees,” says Arts Council Executive Director Deborah E. Mikula. Holiday Glitter draws in patrons and guests from all corners of the community, so the award winners receive the widespread recognition they deserve.”

Nathan Triplett was honored as this year’s first Civic Leadership Award recipient for his strong support and advocacy of the arts and his recent accomplishment in passing the Percent for Art ordinance in E. Lansing, Mich. Lansing Community College and Dr. Brent Knight were recognized with the Business Leadership Award for making a commitment to the arts that has been realized in the recent installation of 19 public artworks as well as extensive renovations to the colleges grounds and buildings. Nancy and Gary McRay were presented with the Individual Leadership Award for their generosity, contributions and many years of dedicated service to the Arts Council and the arts community.

“We are proud to honor those individuals and businesses that make a difference in the arts. This year’s recipients follow the Arts Council’s mission to support, strengthen and promote arts, culture and creativity in the capital region,” says Mikula. “We are grateful for their dedication and their passion, as it is these things that keep the arts at the forefront in strengthening and growing our cities and communities.”The Arts Council has presented its Applause Awards for the past 30 years, and this year decided to expand the reach by adding the Civic Award to our nominations list. More awards honoring the region’s artists, arts organizational leaders and arts educators will be presented in the fall of 2015 at the Arts Council’s Placemaking Summit. Founded in 1965, the Arts Council of Greater Lansing is a non-profit organization whose mission is to lead, advocate for, and advance arts and culture in the capital region. For more information, visit www.www.lansingarts.org

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