Mix and mingle with local artists, arts organizations, elected officials, community leaders, and entrepreneurs, all the while enjoying delicious food, fabulous entertainment, and honoring some remarkable organizations and individuals that are making an impact on the arts and culture in our region.

Join the Arts & Business Council of the Sacramento Region, a program of Blue Line Arts, at the Arts Awards Gala (formerly known as Interlude to the Season/Prelude to the Season) on Wednesday, January 17th at the Sacramento State Alumni Center. This event is the premier annual awards celebration and fundraiser of the Sacramento region.

10 Reasons to Attend

10. It happens once a year…

9. Engage with the art and business community of artists, journalists, bankers, teachers, musicians, utility executives, and developers all in one evening

8. Celebrate Sacramento’s Youth Poetry Out Loud champion

7. Walk the Blue Carpet and meet the Blue Ribbon Panel award winners

6. Sip a cocktail that really is “the bee’s knees”

5. Experience the enLIGHTening performance of the Sacred Fire Dance Company

4. Enjoy the sounds of the Sacramento Opera & Philharmonic

3. This is the only event in the six-county region devoted to Arts & Business fusion

2. Be present for the 12 special moments celebrating the top business and arts individuals and organizations in the six-county region

1. Demonstrate support for the growing, mighty, can-do, never say die, arts and business advocating nonprofit, the Sacramento Arts & Business Council

This Year’s Nominees

Business + Arts Philanthropy Award

• Five Star Bank – Mike Rizzo, Chief Banking Officer
• The McKinley Village Partnership – comprised of The New Home Company & Riverview Capital Investments
• Sacramento Municipal Utility District, SMUD

Outstanding Service Award

• Laurie E. Nelson – President of the Sacramento Arts Alliance – home of the Sacramento Philharmonic and Opera
• James Wheatley – Celebration Arts
• Verge Center for the Arts – Liv Moe, Executive Director

Leadership in the Arts Award

• Shaun Burner – Artist, co-founder of M5 Arts, co-owner of 1810 Gallery
• Dennis Mangers –  Community Leader, Founder “Dennis Manager’s Fund for Young Performing Artists”
• Maya Wallace –  Sacramento Metropolitan Arts Commission Member

Emerging Artist

• Delgreta E. Brown
• Lindsey M. Dillon
• Natalie McKeever

Emerging Arts Leader

• Mima Begovic – Gallerist, Artspace 1616
• Veronica Delgado – Public Affairs/Communications, Sacramento State
• Andru Defeye – Poet, Sol Collective

Arts Educator of the Year Award

• Kathleen S. Lynch – Poet/Essayist/Artist
• Deidre Trudeau – Arts Educator
• Suzanne Adan and Michael Stevens – Artists and Art Professors, Sacramento City College

“Oh Yes! I Remember That” Award

• “Behind the Barre” – Capital Dance Project
• PorchFest Musical Community Event
• Wide Open Walls Mural Festival

Visual Artist of the Year

• John Yoyogi Fortes
• Marc Foster
• Julia Couzens

Performing Artist of the Year

• Capital Dance Project – Independent Collective of Professional Dancers
• JAMBALAYA Musical and Performance Collective
• Sequoia Performance Art Dance Group

Arts Journalism Award

• Comstock’s Magazine – Winnie Comstock
• Jamila Khan – Visit Sacramento (Sacramento365)
• Sacramento Magazine – Joe Chiodo, Publisher

Muriel Johnson Award for Arts Advocacy

• Ron Cunningham & Carinne Binda – Artistic Directors, Sacramento Ballet
  

Funds raised at The Arts Awards Gala will support Arts & Business Council, Sacramento Region programs including artists workshops and the Arts & Business Council, Sacramento Region ART Fellowship.