The D.C. Commission on the Arts and Humanities (DCCAH) is celebrating 25 years of artistic ingenuity and innovation with the 25th annual Mayor’s Arts Awards, the highest honor conferred by the District of Columbia in recognition of artistic excellence and service.

This year, 33 finalists, whose talents span the artistic gamut, have been recognized for their contributions to the local arts scene. Finalist were chosen by the Mayor’s Arts Awards Advisory Jury, which includes members of the area’s arts community with expertise in music, theater, literary arts, arts education, arts service, visual arts and dance.

The DCCAH provides grant award to the winner in the following categories: excellence in an artistic discipline, excellence in service to the arts, innovation in the arts, outstanding contribution to arts education, outstanding emerging artists and the mayor’s award for art teaching. Also honored this year is Felix Angel, director of the Inter-American Development Bank, who will receive the Mayor’s Award for visionary leadership in the arts.

“Washington’s arts community is integral to the world-class city we call home,” said Gloria Nauden, executive director of DCCAH, in a statement. “This year we received 102 nominations, a record number. The Mayor’s Arts Awards represent our appreciation of the contributions made to the rich cultural vitality of our city.”
Since 1968, the awards have honored the finest talents in the Washington, D.C. area. Past honorees include Leonard Slatkin, singer Roberta Flack, Shirley Horn and Peggy Cooper Carfritz.

2010 Finalists

EXCELLENCE IN AN ARTISTIC DISCIPLINE
CATHEDRAL CHORAL SOCIETY  
IRA BLOUNT   
LAWRENCE BRADFORD   
PAN AMERICAN SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA
PETER WADDELL
STEP AFRIKA!  
THE SUZANNE FARRELL BALLET  
THEATER ALLIANCE OF WASHINGTON DC
TRANSFORMER   

EXCELLENCE IN SERVICE TO THE ARTS
DANCE/METRO DC 
KIM ROBERTS 
MARGERY E. GOLDBERG
WASHINGTON PROJECT FOR THE ARTS

INNOVATION IN THE ARTS
DANIEL PHEONIX SIGNH  
FOTOWEEK DC
GALA HISPANIC THEATRE  
MIRIAM’S KITCHEN 
TAFFETY PUNK THEATRE COMPANY
THE THEATRE LAB SCHOOL OF THE DRAMATIC ARTS
VELOCITY DANCE FESTIVAL

OUTSTANDING CONTRIBUTION TO ARTS EDUCATION
CITYDANCE ENSEMBLE, INC. 
DUKE ELLINGTON SCHOOL OF THE ARTS
THE SHAKESPEARE THEATRE COMPANY
THE JOHN F. KENNEDY CENTER FOR THE  PERFORMING ARTS/ EDUCATION DEPARTMENT
THE WASHINGTON BALLET
WASHINGTON PERFORMING ARTS SOCIETY

OUTSTANDING EMERGING ARTIST
ANDREW WODZIANSKI 
BRIAN W. GRUNDSTROM
SARAH ELIZABETH KOSS  
HELANIUS J. WILKINS
LUCIANA STECCONI
MICHELLE HERMAN
 

Finalists for the Mayor’s Award for Arts Teaching

PERFORMING ARTS
GREGORY E. LEWIS
PREMILA MISTRY
THOMAS KINGSTON PIERRE, JR.
REBECCA STUMP
BENJAMIN WHELAN-MORIN

LANGUAGE ARTS
KATHY ECHAVE
MARK A. WILLIAMS
THE THEATRE LAB SCHOOL OF THE DRAMATIC ARTS
THE VELOCITYDC DANCE FESTIVAL

VISUAL ARTS
STEPHANIE BASRALIAN
DANIEL A. FOLEY
ERIC MICHAEL GINSBURG
BILL HARRIS
CHARLES JEAN-PIERRE
VINSON IRBY
ANDREA PERLL
LINDY RUSSELL-HEYMANN