06/18/2009
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Americans for the Arts Presents National Award to San Diego's Victoria L. Hamilton
Seattle, WA — June 18, 2009 — Each year, Americans for the Arts presents awards to honor those who are committed to building communities through the arts. At its annual national convention in Seattle, the 2009 Selina Roberts Ottum Award for Arts Leadership was presented to Victoria L. Hamilton, executive director of the City of San Diego Commission for Arts and Culture. Presented since 1991, this award recognizes the achievements of an individual who has made a meaningful contribution to the arts through arts leadership in the local arts agency field. This is only the second time the award has gone to a Californian.
"Victoria Hamilton's dedication, leadership and support for the arts is unwavering,"said Robert L. Lynch, president and CEO of Americans for the Arts. "Her valued commitment and vision for the arts in San Diego deserves this recognition."
Victoria Hamilton has been the executive director of the City of San Diego Commission for Arts and Culture since its inception in 1988. Ms. Hamilton oversees the City's $8 million arts and culture program including the design and development of the arts and culture organizational support program, neighborhood arts and festivals programs, public art in public and private development, and services to artists and arts organizations.
The City of San Diego Commission for Arts and Culture integrates arts and culture into community life and showcases San Diego as a leading cultural tourist destination. Through her innovative leadership, effective collaborations with local, state and national organizations and creative thinking over the past 20 years, San Diego has evolved into a Vibrant Culture/Vibrant City with unprecedented community and economic impact.
The Selina Roberts Ottum Award is presented by Americans for the Arts and the National Endowment for the Arts.
Americans for the Arts is the leading nonprofit organization for advancing the arts in America. With offices in Washington, DC, and New York City, it has a record of 49 years of service. Americans for the Arts is dedicated to representing and serving local communities and creating opportunities for every American to participate in and appreciate all forms of the arts. Additional information is available at www.AmericansForTheArts.org.
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