Joseph Benesh News

Arizona Citizens for the Arts (AzCA), Arizona's primary arts and arts education advocacy group, announces several leadership changes to prepare for a focused effort to reauthorize the Arizona Commission on the Arts (ACA) and secure additional public funding to support the work of artists, arts educators and arts organizations statewide and enhance the quality of life in all communities.

Bobb Cooper, who will celebrate his 25th anniversary with Valley Youth Theatre on March 20, will receive the inaugural Lifetime Achievement Award at the virtual 40th annual Arizona Governor's Arts Award, a statewide hybrid event, on Friday, March 26.

From 6-7:30 that night, each restaurant will welcome guests who will pick up pre-set meals, including a vegetarian option, and be greeted by models wearing locally-designed clothing for photos with an onsite photographer.  

With its sights set on a $5 million allocation for the arts in the state's budget for Fiscal Year 21-22, Arizona Citizens for the Arts has “reinvented” the annual Arts Congress day of advocacy with online meetings with legislators and arts organizations across the state during the week of Feb. 22-26.

Arizona Citizens for the Arts Executive Director Joseph Benesh lauded Arizona Governor Doug Ducey’s inclusion of a $2 million allocation in his 2022 executive budget for the Arizona Commission on the Arts.

Nominations are now open for the 40th Annual Governor’s Arts Awards, which will be presented to individuals, businesses and organizations that have made substantial and outstanding contributions to arts and culture in Arizona.

Band and orchestra teachers are certainly among those striving to create harmony in this unusual school year. Palm Beach Symphony is asking students, parents, colleagues and members of the community for their help to recognize the outstanding 2020 Instrument Teacher of the Year by filling out a brief nomination form before the deadline of November 1 at 5 p.m.

The Arizona Citizens for the Arts Board of Directors has elected Stuart Graff, President and CEO of the Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation, as chairman.  The board also elected four new members including, for the first time in recent years, a member from Yuma, Rose Ann Forte, who was elected as treasurer.

Arizona Citizens for the Arts (AzCA), the statewide arts and culture advocacy organization, is urging Arizona Governor Doug Ducey to protect up to 90,000 arts and culture jobs by restoring $2 million in funding to Arizona's budget and allocating an additional $2 million from the CARES Act relief fund.

Arizona Citizens for the Arts has organized a 24-hour virtual telethon featuring live-streamed performances and appearances by Arizona artists, celebrities, business owners and elected officials from across the state from 5 p.m. Friday, April 3 to 4:59 p.m. Saturday, April 4.

After careful consideration and in an abundance of caution due to the growing concern about the Coronavirus (COVID-19), Arizona Citizens for the Arts has made the decision to postpone the 2020 Governor's Arts Awards Celebration, originally scheduled for March 26.

Catherine a?oeRustya?? Foley, a longtime arts advocate and supporter who served as executive director at Arizona Citizens for the Arts for eight years before her retirement, and Bob Booker, who was executive director at the Arizona Commission on the Arts from 2006 to 2017, will receive Shelley Awards at the 39th annual Governor's Arts awards dinner and celebration.

Arizona Governor Doug Ducey has included a $2 million general fund allocation in his $12.3 billion executive budget for the Arizona Commission on the Arts to provide grants and other support to nonprofits arts and culture organizations across Arizona.

Nominations are now open for the 399h Annual Governor's Arts Awards, which will be presented to individuals, businesses and organizations that have made substantial and outstanding contributions to arts and culture in Arizona. 

A special benefit fund-raiser and cocktail reception evening was held Feb 21st for The Active Theater Company and Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS at Shetler Studios.

Songwriters Barry Harman and Keith Herrmann present Amazing Sex, their all-new musical for a special benefit fund-raiser and cocktail reception evening for The Active Theater Company and Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS.

The Active Theater Company proudly presents ROMANCE/ROMANCE, with Book & Lyrics by Barry Harman, and Music by Keith Hermann.

The Active Theater Company proudly presents ROMANCE/ROMANCE, with Book & Lyrics by Barry Harman, and Music by Keith Hermann. It's the company's second show for their 2009-2010 season and is directed by Marc Robin, with musical direction by Jason Wynn.

Due to audience response, an additional show of ROMANCE/ROMANCE has been added for Saturday, February 20 at 2PM. The Active Theater Company proudly presents ROMANCE/ROMANCE, with Book & Lyrics by Barry Harman, and Music by Keith Hermann. It's the company's second show for their 2009-2010 season and is directed by Marc Robin, with musical direction by Jason Wynn.

Songwriters Barry Harman and Keith Herrmann present Amazing Sex, their all-new musical for a special benefit fund-raiser and cocktail reception evening for The Active Theater Company and Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS.