11-04-94 Three OSU Arts Units Receive Award

THREE OHIO STATE PROGRAMS RECOGNIZED WITH KING ARTS COMPLEX AWARD

     COLUMBUS -- The Ohio State University recently received the
Keeper of the Culture Award, one of the prestigious Dream Awards
presented by the Martin Luther King Jr. Performing and Cultural
Arts Complex in Columbus.  The university was recognized for
activities in three specific programs: the College of the
Arts/Martin Luther King Jr. Institute for the Arts, the Wexner
Center for the Arts, and the Frank W. Hale Jr. Black Cultural
Center.

     The award was presented at a ceremony honoring persons and
organizations who have given exemplary "contributions of talent,
service, support and sponsorship" to the King Arts Complex.  In
addition to the university, the Keeper of the Culture Award was
given to artists Tony and Aziza West.  Builder of the Dream
Awards were presented to Nationwide Insurance Co., the MLK
Birthday Breakfast Committee, and volunteer Helen Lester.

     Of Ohio State's relationship with the King Arts Complex,
Barbara Nicholson, executive director, said: "The Ohio State
University has been a magnificent supporter and partner.  These
three award recipients exemplify the positive, visionary
relationship the King Arts Complex enjoys throughout the Ohio
State family -- from the president's office to the athletic
department."

     The King Arts Complex and Ohio State's College of the Arts
jointly sponsor the Martin Luther King Jr. Institute for the
Arts, which offers to urban youth multicultural arts instruction
provided by Ohio State graduate students.  The Wexner Center has
collaborated with the King Arts Complex to present a number of
performances including, most recently, the acclaimed Griot New
York; and the two have co-sponsored educational programming that
examines multicultural arts issues.  Ohio State's Hale Center has
presented with the King Arts Complex a variety of joint programs
in the visual arts, including several exhibitions.

     "The College of the Arts, the Wexner Center, and the Hale
Center offered us their best and, appropriately, they deserved to
receive our best -- the King Arts Complex's Dream Award,"
Nicholson said.

     The King Arts Complex is a cultural institution with a
multi-faceted approach to exploring the African-American
experience through performing arts productions, visual arts
exhibitions, and culturally based educational activities.  It is
located at 867 Mount Vernon Avenue in Columbus.

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Contact: Lois Foreman Wernet, College of the Arts, 292-8835.


[Submitted by: REIDV  (reidv@ccgate.ucomm.ohio-state.edu)
               
Thu, 04 Nov 93 11:43:29 EST]
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