Sue Hess Maryland Arts Advocate of the Year Award

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MCA Trustee, and namesake of the Arts Advocate of the Year Award, applauds the performance by Warner Williams and Jay Summerour.
Photo by Edward Winter

History

The "Sue Hess Maryland Arts Advocate of the Year Award," is named in honor of our first Chair of the Board of Trustees and the longest serving member of the organization.  The award recognizes an individual whose advocacy efforts have significantly increased support for and public recognition of the Arts in Maryland.  

The award’s namesake, Sue Hess, has been a leader and staunch defender of the Arts in Maryland for over thirty years. Soon after the founding of MCA in 1977, Sue became the chair of MCA and is the longest serving member on the Board of Trustees. Working on her own for the first three years at her kitchen table in Ocean City, Sue began forming a network of grass roots art supporters across the state. Over the years, she has been instrumental in driving the tremendous change and growth in MCA.  

Beginning in 2009, the Sue Hess Award has been presented during Maryland Arts Day to individuals whose advocacy efforts have significantly benefitted the entire Maryland arts community.

 

Current Nominations

Nominations are now closed.

 

Past Winners

2012: Toby Orenstein, Founder and Artistic Director, Columbia Center for Theatrical Arts

2011: E. Scott Johnson, Former Chair of the Maryland State Arts Council

2010: Nancy Haragan, Founder and Former Executive Director of the Greater Baltimore Cultural Alliance

2009: James Gillespie, Former Executive Director of the Salisbury Wicomico Arts Council