Senator Alesi Nominated For National Public Leadership In The Arts Award

Senator Jim Alesi (R,C,I-Perinton), in appreciation of his continued commitment to the arts, was nominated for the National Public Leadership in the Arts Award by the world renowned Garth Fagan Dance.

"I am deeply honored that Garth Fagan Dance would recognize my efforts in such a significant way," said Senator Alesi. "The arts have always been close to my heart and I am a firm believer that a solid arts and cultural community enhances the overall quality of life for the residents and also acts as an enticement for economic development. I am just so humbled to be named as a nominee."

"Senator Alesi continues to demonstrate his strong support for the arts through his financial assistance and personal involvement," said Garth Fagan. "He truly is a champion for the necessary presence of the arts in our community. His efforts, on behalf of Garth Fagan Dance and numerous other arts organizations, deserve to be celebrated and recognized."

"Senator Alesi obviously has a strong love for and appreciation of the arts and how the creative economy benefits his district and the State of New York," said Jay Dick, Director of State Arts Policy, Americans for the Arts. "Through his support of the Rochester International Jazz Festival to securing millions of dollars for various artistic groups, Senator Alesi has proven himself a very strong friend of the arts."

Senator Alesi, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Economic Development and Small Business, is a strong believer that investments in the arts organizations can serve to generate economic development and revitalization of downtown areas.

Throughout Senator Alesi's tenure in the Legislature, he has been extremely supportive of the arts. He is the founding sponsor of the immensely successful Rochester International Jazz Festival, which will celebrate its sixth edition in June 2007. The festival spans nine days, attracts over 80,000 fans, and offers 600 world renowned artists who perform 170 concerts.

During his tenure as a legislator, Senator Alesi has secured millions of dollars for the arts in the greater Rochester region. The Senator continues to support area organizations such as: The Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra, Strong Museum, Rochester Museum and Science Center, Genesee Country Museum, Garth Fagan Dance, The Commission Project, Nazareth College Arts Center, the Susan B. Anthony House, Memorial Art Gallery, Rochester City Ballet, Mercury Opera, Aesthetic Arts Institute, The Rochester Broadway Theatre League, ARTwalk, Mercury Opera, The Irondequoit Theatre, Afrikuumba: Dance & Drum, Traveling Cabaret of Irondequoit, Penfield Symphony Orchestra, and many more.

Senator Alesi also recognizes the priceless value of the arts as an inseparable component of education. He has actively supported arts related scholarship programs such as the Memorial Art Gallery Community Arts Scholarship, the Rochester Institute of Technology Scholastic Arts Awards, The Hochstein School of Music, and Young Audiences of Rochester.

The Public Leadership in the Arts Award is presented by Americans for the Arts, in partnership with the National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL) and seeks to recognize an elected official who has played a significant role in the advancement of the arts and arts education within his or her community and whose vision and leadership provide heightened visibility to the value of the arts. Americans for the Arts will present the State Legislator award at the National Conference of State Legislature's winter meeting this December.

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