Americans for the Arts Honors
40 North | 88 West Director with Emerging Leader Award
June 4, 2006
Milwaukee - At its annual convention, Americans for the Arts (AFTA) today presented its inaugural Emerging Leader Award to Jennifer Armstrong, executive director of 40 North | 88 West - the Champaign County Arts, Culture & Entertainment Council. The Emerging Leader Award was created to honor an individual (administrator, consultant, artist, etc.) or staff member who is a new and/or young leader, and to recognize his or her extraordinary work in the arts administration field. The recipient demonstrates innovative thinking, a commitment to the advancement of the arts, exemplary leadership qualities, and has made a significant impact on their local, state, or national community through their professional work.
Americans for the Arts Board Chair Steven Spiess presents Jennifer Armstrong with the Emerging Leader Award at the AFTA annual convention 
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Credit: Americans for the Arts, photographs by Sylvain Gaboury
"Americans for the Arts has been a strong proponent for the advancement of new arts leadership and this award is a reflection of our commitment," said Robert L. Lynch, president and CEO of Americans for the Arts. "Jennifer Armstrong exemplifies the qualities that are needed to lead and advance the arts."
Jennifer Armstrong is on the board of The Association of American Culture and a member of the Illinois Arts Council's strategic planning task force. Locally, she serves as vice chair for Big. Small. All. Champaign County. Armstrong is also a co-founder of individuals TOGETHER and young professional organizations formed by both the Urban League of Champaign County and the Champaign County Chamber of Commerce. She moved to Champaign County in 2004 from Phoenix, AZ, where she served as the program coordinator for the Herberger College Department of Dance at Arizona State University. Armstrong studied arts and business administration, theater, and dance at Millikin University.
Steven Spiess and Jennifer Armstrong 
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Credit: Americans for the Arts, photographs by Sylvain Gaboury
The award is presented by the Americans for the Arts Emerging Leader Council. The Emerging Leader Council, an elected advisory body and program of Americans for the Arts, seeks to increase participation of new and young leaders in arts administration locally, regionally, and nationally. The council strives to create a vibrant future for arts professionals and their successors by playing a vital part in the evolution of the arts.
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 45 years of service. Americans for the Arts is dedicated to representing and serving local communities and creating opportunities for every American to participate in and appreciate all forms of the arts. Additional information is available at http://www.americansforthearts.org/.
40 North Executive Director Jennifer Armstrong
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Credit: Americans for the Arts, photographs by Sylvain Gaboury