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NEWS RELEASE

July 19, 2007

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Howard County Government Receives National Recognition for Leadership in the Arts

ELLICOTT CITY, MD – Americans for the Arts, the nation’s leading nonprofit organization for advancing the arts in America, in conjunction with the National Association of Counties (NACo), presented the 2007 Public Leadership in the Arts Award to Howard County Government on Monday, July 16, at NACO’s annual summer conference in Richmond, VA.

The award honors an elected board or individual leader who has significantly advanced the arts in the communities they serve. According to an announcement made by Americans for the Arts, “Howard County Government was chosen for its dedication to supporting the arts in the area and incorporating culture into the county’s economic development plan.”

Also mentioned in the award announcement was that since 2000, Howard County Government has consistently ranked as one of the top three counties in the State of Maryland for per capita operating funds designated for the arts, providing a stable source of funding and significant in-kind services for local arts groups. In addition, under County Executive Ken Ulman, Howard County Government approved an 8.2% increase for the arts for FYO8, increasing public funding to an all time high of $440,100.

“I am proud to accept this award on behalf of all elected county leaders, past and present,” said County Executive Ulman. “If you look back, it is apparent that many of my predecessors believed, as I do, that the arts are a vital part of community life. They had the foresight to establish an arts council in the 1980s and provide funds to support the arts. Our support of the arts has grown tremendously over the years, and I want to thank Americans for the Arts for recognizing our county’s continuing commitment. I pledge to do all I can to continue the legacy of public support for the arts that is critical to our quality of life in Howard County.”

Robert L. Lynch, president and CEO for Americans for the Arts, stated, “The work of the Howard County Government on behalf of the arts has helped make Howard County a national leader in promoting strong arts and cultural programs. They have exhibited exemplary leadership in the State of Maryland by dramatically increasing funds to the arts and cultural sector, while funds on the state level are declining.”

Coleen West, Executive Director of the Howard County Arts Council, said, “We are thrilled Howard County Government has received this prestigious award – it is well deserved. For nearly three decades, our public officials have taken a thoughtful and strategic approach to nurturing and sustaining the arts - resulting in a strong non-profit arts base and one of the most vital and diverse arts communities in the State of Maryland. Today, our citizens enjoy world-class musicians, award-winning poets, equity theater productions, stunning exhibits, and much, much more, right here, close to home.”

Americans for the Arts established the National Award for County Arts Leadership in 1999 to recognize the positive role county government leaders play in improving arts programs, increasing funding to the arts and making the arts accessible in their communities.