Dater Foundation Receives Governor's Award for the Arts

Published Date: May 10, 2021

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The Charles H. Dater Foundation and eight other organizations and individuals were honored May 10, 2021 in a virtual event by the Ohio Arts Council with the presentation of a 2020 Governor’s Award.   View the hour-long program at the YouTube link below.  The four-and-a-half minute Dater Foundation segment begins at 43:18. 

•  Ohio Channel YouTube link: https://youtu.be/nvPFEyZNk8s

The program included remarks by Gov. Mike DeWine and a video interview with each award winner.  Dater Foundation board member Amanda Lenhart was featured along with D. Lynn Meyers, Producing Artistic Director of Ensemble Theatre Cincinnati, which nominated the Foundation for the Arts Patron Award.

 Read more about the award ... click here.


The Charles H. Dater Foundation has been selected as one of eight organizations or individuals to receive an award at the 2020 Governor’s Awards for the Arts in Ohio, the State of Ohio’s most prestigious annual arts event.

The Dater Foundation’s recognition is in the category of Arts Patron.  The award is presented annually to an individual, or individual or family foundation, that, over time, has sustained and enhanced the arts in their community or the state of Ohio through contributions of their time, effort, or financial resources.

In recognition of their impactful and visionary leadership in Ohio’s creative sector and sustained dedication to promoting artistic excellence, awardees will be honored at a luncheon and ceremony on Wednesday, March 25, 2020, at 11 a.m. at the Columbus Athenaeum in downtown Columbus.  Each award winner will receive an original piece of artwork created specifically for the event by an Ohio artist and the opportunity to share their story with other arts supporters statewide.

Since its beginning in 1971, the Governor's Awards has recognized individuals and organizations who have been vital to the growth and development of Ohio's cultural resources.  One of the most prestigious arts events in Ohio, the Governor's Awards showcases and celebrates exceptional Ohio artists, arts organizations, arts leaders and patrons, and business support of the arts.

In addition to the Dater Foundation in the category of Arts Patron, award winners will be recognized in the following categories:

ARTS ADMINISTRATION.  Lora Lynn Snow, founder and executive director of the Ariel-Ann Carson Dater Performing Arts Centre in Gallipolis, home of the Ohio Valley Symphony.  (The award is presented in recognition of sustained, impactful, and visionary leadership of an arts organization.)

ARTS EDUCATION.  Nigel Burgoine, artistic director of the Ballet Theatre of Toledo.  (The award recognizes significant contributions through leadership and creativity to advance arts education in Ohio's schools and community organizations.)

BUSINESS SUPPORT OF THE ARTS.  Nicolettecinemagraphics, a two-person digital media business based in Columbus that has supported the arts in myriad ways since it was founded by filmmakers Nicolette and Matt Swift in 2006.  (The award recognizes a private or nonprofit business, government, or media organization that has, over time, provided extraordinary support to the arts locally, statewide, regionally, or nationally through a contribution of personnel, financial, or other resources.)

COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT & PARTICIPATION.  Jorma Kaukonen’s Fur Peace Ranch was initially built in 1989 as “a ranch that grows guitar players,” but it has since transformed into so much more.  (The award recognizes an individual or organization that works to create or strengthen interactive arts participation among diverse community members while increasing public awareness about the role of the arts in community life.)

COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT & PARTICIPATION.  Joan Perch, who began her career as an arts educator and went on to own several successful art galleries in downtown Cleveland.  (The award recognizes an individual or organization that works to create or strengthen interactive arts participation among diverse community members while increasing public awareness about the role of the arts in community life.)

INDIVIDUAL ARTIST.  Jesse Ayers, DMA, an award-winning composer and a professor of music at Malone University in Canton, Ohio.  (The award recognizes an Ohio artist whose work has made a significant impact on his or her discipline locally, statewide, regionally, or nationally.)

INDIVIDUAL ARTIST.  Andy Snow, a professional photographer for more than 40 years after becoming fascinated with photography while finishing his philosophy degree at Princeton University. (The award recognizes an Ohio artist whose work has made a significant impact on his or her discipline locally, statewide, regionally, or nationally.)

Additional information is available on the Ohio Arts Council web site … click here



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