BRAVO! THE ARTS!


Arts Illiana's Annual Recognition of Outstanding Contributions to the Arts in the Wabash Valley


Arts Illiana invites all Arts Advocates living in Clay, Parke, Putnam, Sullivan, Vermillion, and Vigo Counties to recognize those individuals, organizations and/or businesses for outstanding contribution to the Arts.  Created in 1994, BRAVO! THE ARTS! has recognized and encouraged excellence in the Arts and brought enthusiasm, support and visibility for the Arts in the Wabash Valley.

BRAVO! AWARDS CRITERIA

Nominees must reside or work in Art Illiana’s service area, which includes Clay, Parke, Putnam, Sullivan, Vermillion, and Vigo Counties in Indiana.  Nominees are also accepted from our neighboring Illinois counties.  Recipients are chosen from submitted nomination forms.  Jurors will review all nominations and select one recipient in each category.  Previous winners are not elligible (unless nominated in a different category.) Completed forms can be e-mailed to info@artsilliana.org or mailed to Arts Illiana, 23 North Sixth Street, Terre Haute, IN 47807.  Support documents can also be dropped off in person during business hours.

Awards Categories>

1. Arts Education Award is given to an individual who has:
   1. Demonstrated leadership in arts education.
   2. Had a professional impact on arts education.
   3. Shown innovation in arts education.
   4. Enlightened students and others to the value of the arts.
2. Corporate Award is presented to a business or corporation that has shown support for the arts through:
   1. Financial support (direct funding, in-kind contributions, etc.)
   2. Is presented to an individual or group based on providing arts opportunities to employees.
   3. Special initiatives supporting area artists and arts organizations.
3. Professional Artist Award is presented to an individual or group based on:
   1. Level of recognition.
   2. Contribution to an art form.
   3. High professional standards.
   4. Presence as a role model for aspiring artists.
4. Service Award is given for volunteer efforts of an individual or group based on:
   1. Demonstration of leadership in support of the arts.
   2. Impact of service.
   3. Years of service.
   4. Willingness to be of assistance.
5. Youth Achievement Award goes to an individual based on:
   1. Demonstration of special talent.
   2. Accomplishments.
   3. Potential to continue as an “Up and Coming” artist in future endeavors.
6. Advocacy Award is presented to an individual (or group) based on:
   1. Broad efforts to support the arts in general.
   2. Promotion of the arts as a means to improve the lives of the citizenry.
7. Lifetime Achievement Award is presented to an individual based on:
   1. Involvement with the arts over a sustained period of time.
   2. Level of impact on the arts over a sustained period of time.
   3. An example of dedication to the arts for others to follow.

Past BRAVO Award winners include: 

ARTS EDUCATION
JoAnn Cramer, Chuck and Jean Shutt, Mary Ley, Barbara Eletson, Paulita McNeil, Lew Hackleman, Diana Bowen, Sherri Wright, Beth Hoke, Fran Lattanzio, Rod Bradfield, Charles Wagoner, Brad Venable, Nancy Nichols-Pethick, Deb Goecker, Nancy Thomas

CORPORATE/FOUNDATION
GTE, Digital Audio Disc Corp., Conservatory of Music, Coffee Grounds, Cinergy/PSI, Columbia House, Big Red Liquors, Old National Bank, Bethesda Corporation, Tri-Industries, Rainbow Art & Frame, Java Haute, First Financial, John and Mary McCarthy Family Foundation, Clabber Girl, Baesler’s Market, Union Hospital

MEDIA (Merged with Corporate in 1998)
Gordon Walters, Beth Fischer Hughes, Kevin Orpurt, Sara Solooki

PROFESSIONAL ARTIST
Gary & Diana Stewart, Catherine Knight, John Laska, Mary Louise Moscan, John Spicknall, David and Nancy Watkins, Boone Dunbar, David DelColletti, Patrick Titzer, David Erickson, Daniel Powers, Mike Neary, Brent McPike, Bill Wolfe, Judy Ohmit

VOLUNTEER SERVICE
Parke Players, Jerome Kearns, Jean Swango, Max Gibson, Martinsville, IL Prevention Theatre, Carolyn Toops, Marylee Hagan, John and Peggy Apgar, Harold and Melinda Medsker, Dixie Brown, Garri Knezevich, Jan Buffington, Covered Bridge Art Association, Ruth Melloh, Putnam County Playhouse, Swope Alliance, Bev Cristee, Eileen Prose

ADVOCACY (Created in 1999)
Cliff Lambert, David Zaun, David Patterson, Laney Meis, Michael Lunsford, Todd Nation, Marshall, IL MainStreet, Chris Schellenberg, Betty Martin, Clyde Kersey, Kevin Runion

YOUTH ACHIEVEMENT (Created in 1999)
Brady Meadors, Krislyn Weber, Joshua Spear, Paul Bennett, Laura Dallman, Liesl Goecker, Jenna Sagraves, Jonathan Jensen, Xavier Ellison, Solly Burton, Abby Cunning

LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT
Jane Hazeldine, Robert Crowden, Hermine Haslem, James W. Barnes, Eileen Jensen, Nancy Sauer, Rex Magner, Tom Venable, Phyllis Dye Turner, Howard Waltersdorf, Steve Tucker, Harriet McNeal, John Spicknall, Dick Hay, Casey Cheney, Ramon Meyer

SPECIAL MERIT AWARD (Presented for the first time in 2007)
Terre Haute Children’s Choir(under the direction of Anita Gambill)
SPECIAL EXCEPTIONAL LEADERSHIP IN THE ARTS AWARD (Presented for the first time in 2010)
Petra Nyendick