They did ask, but not for them

     (PNAN) – For what he has done for the Arts, how fitting is it to know that an artist’s words were a sign of support which can be traced back to his ‘I Do’ day. Some will firsthand recall his speech because of what he was chosen to do as well as its historical significance ranked as one of the best, including the shortest, delivered to the American people on Friday, January 20, 1961 at 12:51 in Washington, D.C. 

     There is a passage in President John F. Kennedy’s inaugural address that gives reference to the original author, but slightly modified by human subject: “Ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country,” was taken from one of the books by Khalil Gibran (1883-1931), who immigrated with his Lebanese family to the US, began a study in art and literature; thusly achieving acclaims for his artworks, philosophical essays, including one of his books, “The Prophet.” It has also been noted, Gibran is the third best-selling poet, just behind Shakespeare and Lao-Tzu.

     When we connect the dots, those who have stayed rooted to their gifts and causes; it is no wonder of what goes around, came around on October 18, when another of historical greatness stepped up to the plate in New York City, whereas this organization, Americans for the Arts bestowed upon those who have presented their craft and those who exercised profound leadership, whereas their contributions has not only enriched lives, but also whole communities through the Arts. The 2010 National Arts Awards honorees were:

      Angela Lansbury, Lifetime Achievement Award, who is one of the versatile actresses of the 20th century, whose theater, movie and television career spans seven decades. Receiving the Outstanding Contributions to the Arts Award, Herb Alpert began playing the trumpet at age eight and from there an endless list of successes, including as a co-founder of A&M Records that became the largest independently-owned record company in the world. Today with his wife, singer Lani Hall, they oversee the Herb Alpert Foundation which is dedicated to funding the arts and arts education programs, as well as programs that promote compassion and well-being. Sisters Kate and Laura Mulleavy are the founders of Rodarte and the first fashion designers ever honored with a National Arts Award. They are the recipients of the “Maria and Bill Bell Young Artist Award” and are undoubtedly deserving of this honor, holding an extensive list of recognitions in the clothing and accessory industry. The Eli and Edythe Broad Award for Philanthropy in the Arts went to Martha Rivers Ingram, who is the chairman of Ingram Industries, chairman of the Vanderbilt University Board of Trust, and a noted philanthropist and patron of the arts, not only has left her imprint in Nashville that gave rise to the Tennessee Performing Arts Center, including to help develop the Schermerhorn Symphony Center, but also she serves on the boards of Spoleto Festival USA, in her hometown of Charleston, South Carolina, Ingram Micro, Regions Financial Corporation and Weyerhaeuser. Her other philanthropic commitments include work on the boards of the Nashville Ballet, the Nashville Opera Association and the Tennessee Repertory Theatre.

     The Americans for the Arts is the leading nonprofit organization for advancing the arts in America. With offices in Washington, DC, and New York City, it has a record of 49 years of service. Since 1966, the National Arts Awards have been presented to Edward Albee, Dame Julie Andrews, Wallis Annenberg, Alec Baldwin, Mikhail Baryshnikov, Leonard Bernstein, Chuck Close, Christo and Jeanne-Claude, Pierre Dulaine, Aretha Franklin, Frank Gehry, Martha Graham, Agnes Gund, Jake Gyllenhaal, Joan W. Harris, Kitty Carlisle Hart, Helen Hayes, Sheila C. Johnson, Ellsworth Kelly, Jeff Koons, Jacob Lawrence, John Legend, Gerald M. Levin, Wynton Marsalis, Natalie Portman, Phil Ramone, Cindy Sherman, Beverly Sills, Anna Deavere Smith, David Rockefeller, Isaac Stern, Paul Taylor, Uma Thurman, Kerry Washington, Sanford I. Weill, and Kehinde Wiley.

     For more in depth information, see   www.AmericansForTheArts.org.