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MEDIA CONTACTS: Polly Burks
561-297-2595, pburks@fau.edu or
Stacia Smith
561-297-2971, ssmith@fau.edu
FAU's School of the Arts Names
Louis Tyrrell Cultural Leader of the Year
School of the Arts Also Announces New Partnership with
Palm Beach County Cultural Council
BOCA RATON, FL (June 6, 2005) - The School of the Arts in Florida Atlantic University's Dorothy F. Schmidt College of Arts and Letters today named Louis Tyrrell Cultural Leader of the Year 2005 at a celebration held at FAU's Eleanor R. Baldwin House in Boca Raton. The annual award is given to a person or organization that has made a difference in the cultural life of South Florida by producing or sponsoring cultural events or works, or by promoting the arts through educational outreach.
Tyrrell has made an impact in both of these areas. He founded and is producing director of the Florida Stage in Manalapan. Now in its 18th season, the theatre is dedicated to the development and production of new work in American theatre. Under Tyrrell's artistic direction, Florida Stage has produced well over 100 plays and has become an important starting point for some of the best new plays being written today. Also, the theatre's education outreach programs are among the most innovative in the nation and have been honored with the Florida Commissioner of Education's Business Recognition Award for outstanding support of education.
"Lou has become a real leader in the world of South Florida theatre," said George Sparks, director of FAU's School of the Arts. "Not only has he fostered some of the great theatrical work coming out of Florida, but he has also found a way to share that work with audiences of all ages and backgrounds."
Tyrrell is FAU's second Cultural Leader of the Year. Last year's recipient was Bob Lappin of the Palm Beach Pops. The decision-making process begins with
nominations from School of the Arts faculty and administration. Research is then done on the nominees, and they are presented to the School of the Arts executive committee that ultimately makes the final decision. Nominees have included performers, visual artists, artistic directors, philanthropists, educational leaders and others.
Sparks, in conjunction with Marta Batmasian, chair of the Palm Beach County Cultural Council (PBCCC) Board, announced that the Cultural Leader award will be expanded next year through a partnership with PBCCC. FAU will continue to present the Cultural Leader of the Year award, while PBCCC and other sponsors will present awards in specific areas such as the visual arts, performing arts, philanthropy and arts education.
Sparks also gave highlights of a busy second year for FAU's School of the Arts. Over 28,000 people attended performances and exhibitions in theatre, music, the visual arts and, for the first time, dance. Milestones for the School included the release of the first two CDs from FAU's student recording label, Hoot/Wisdom Recordings.
AU Music Department Chair Heather Coltman released her CD Nightscapes and student group The People UpStairs released their CD Synchrofunkinicity. Another first for the School included the exhibition of Department of Visual Arts and Art History faculty artwork at the internationally acclaimed Art Basel in Miami Beach. Further, FAU's Department of Theatre illustrated how art can inspire compassion by donating all the proceeds from one of their plays, totaling almost $5,000, to victims of last year's hurricanes.
FAU's School of the Arts was founded in 2003 and includes programs in theatre, music and the visual arts. For more information on School of the Arts events, call 561-297-2977 or visit www.fau.edu/artsupdate.
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