VSA arts Florida Affiliate Recipient of Nonprofit of the Year Award for Arts and Culture

June 27, 2006

WASHINGTON, D.C., June 27, 2006 – VSA arts’ affiliate, VSA arts of Florida, was named as the winner in the Arts and Culture category for the inaugural Tampa Bay Business Journal 2006 Nonprofit of the Year Awards. These awards recognized Tampa Bay-based 501(c) (3), non-foundation community organizations that benefit residents of Greater Tampa Bay who are fiscally responsible and accountable with regard to program outcomes.

VSA arts of Florida was one of 81 nonprofit organizations nominated for the 2006 Nonprofit of the Year awards and was chosen as a finalist based on its fiscal responsibility, management, mission, programming, and impact in the community. Finalists and winners were chosen by an independent panel of judges who are involved with the nonprofit and business communities.

The awards luncheon was held on Thursday June 22nd at the Doubletree Hotel – Tampa Airport.

The mission of VSA arts of Florida is to create a society where people with disabilities can learn through, participate in and enjoy the arts. “We entered the award programs,” said Marian Winters, Executive Director of VSA, “because we take such pride in the positive impact our organization has in the lives of the individuals we serve and in the community as a whole, and we want to spread the word about what our organization is all about. VSA arts of Florida is honored to win this award.”

“VSA arts of Florida has been doing changing the lives of people with disabilities through their work for many years,” said James Modrick, VSA arts Vice President of Affiliate and Education Services. “We applaud the Tampa Bay Business Journal for recognizing VSA arts of Florida valuable contribution to the community.”

VSA arts of Florida was recently awarded the VSA arts National Award for Excellence in Professional Development and Technical Assistance for its multi-pronged statewide approach to professional development programming. Through its annual leadership conference the affiliate reached more than 600 educators and teaching artists throughout the state, 20 percent of whom had disabilities.

VSA arts is an international nonprofit organization founded in 1974 by Ambassador Jean Kennedy Smith to create a society where all people with disabilities learn through, participate in and enjoy the arts. VSA arts provides educators, parents, and artists with resources and the tools to support arts programming in schools and communities. VSA arts showcases the accomplishments of artists with disabilities and promotes increased access to the arts for people with disabilities. Each year millions of people participate in VSA arts programs through a nationwide network of affiliates and in more than 60 countries around the world. VSA arts is an affiliate of The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. For more information visit www.vsarts.org.

Media Contact

Marcia Rhodes / VSA arts, (202) 628-2800, ext. 3883, marciar@vsarts.org