Oglebay Institute received two top honors earlier this month at the 2020 West Virginia Governor’s Arts Awards at the Cultural Center in Charleston.
The institute received the Susan S. Landis Distinguished Service to the Arts Award, which recognizes an organization that has demonstrated exceptional support for talent, creativity and energy, and that has contributed to the arts and fostered growth in arts programs, influenced trends and represented West Virginia arts with distinction on state, regional and national levels. West Virginia Commission on the Arts member Zach Abraham presented the award to Oglebay Institute, which was accepted by Danielle Cross McCracken, institute president.
Michael McKowen, Oglebay Institute curator of exhibitions, received the Arts in Education Award, which recognizes the work of an individual to strengthen arts education in West Virginia schools, providing creative opportunities for students to participate in arts education. (READ: WEEasked Michael McKowen)
Curator Randall Reid-Smith of the Department of Arts, Culture and History, Director of Arts Lance Schrader and others presented awards to nine individuals and organizations, along with 10 legislative leadership awards.
Delegate Erikka Storch, R-Ohio, was among the legislators honored, receiving a lifetime achievement award.
The Governor’s Arts Awards are designed to celebrate excellence in various sectors of the arts. The awards focus attention on the importance of the arts to both human and economic development in West Virginia by honoring those who have major creative achievements or have made significant contributions to the state’s culture.