A panel made up of the Denver Commission on Cultural Affairs and Denver Arts & Venues employees have selected the winners of the
2016 Mayor's Awards for Excellence in Arts & Culture.
"Denver is full of talented artists and performers filling our galleries, museums, theaters and concert halls and enhancing our daily experiences with arts and culture," Denver Mayor Michael Hancock says. "These award recipients exemplify Denver's vibrant and diverse cultural and artistic scene. Through the work of these dedicated and inspiring individuals and groups, the arts have become more accessible, visible, interactive and integrated into the lives of our residents and visitors."
The winners are:
- Arts & Culture Youth Awards: Denver Public Library, After School is Cool, a five-day-a-week program that enriches the lives of underserved Denver youth at five library locations
- Arts & Culture Impact Award: Huitzilopochtli Azteca Dance for its effort to enrich the lives of Mexican youth and their families through 50 free performances per year at schools and churches
- Arts & Culture Innovation Award: Elisa Narizhnaya, Denver Online High School, who continually finds innovative ways to establish a sense of community for her students
- Arts & Culture Global Award: Denver Young Artists Orchestra for providing high-level music education and world-class opportunities for students to work with top teachers and coaches
- IMAGINE 2020 Award: Dan Manzanares for his skill at collaborating with individuals and groups such as Lighthouse Writers Workshop, Denver VOICE, the American Museum of Western Art, Doors Open Denver and the Cherry Creek Arts Festival.
Contact Confluence Denver Development News Editor Margaret Jackson with tips and leads for future stories at margaret@confluence-denver.com.
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