Speight Jenkins to Receive 2009 Mayor’s Arts Award

Seattle Mayor Greg Nickels announced today that Speight Jenkins, Seattle Opera’s general director, will receive a 2009 Mayor’s Arts Award. The annual awards honor people and organizations that impact arts and culture in Seattle.

"Speight has enriched the cultural, artistic, and civic life of our city and helped position Seattle as an international arts destination," said Nickels. "I am honored to be mayor of Seattle, where citizens such as Speight share their passion, talent, and innovation to make Seattle not only a wonderful place to live and visit, but a spectacular place to grow, learn, and create."

The Seattle Arts Commission received a record 360 nominees this year, all submitted by the public for consideration. The recipients will be honored at a ceremony on September 4 at noon, during Bumbershoot: Seattle’s Music and Arts Festival. In celebration of the awards, Bumbershoot’s visual arts exhibits will be open to the public free of charge that afternoon. In addition to Jenkins, the other award-winners are: Artist Trust, visual artist Jesse Higman, Northwest Tap Connection, and Seattle Youth Symphony Orchestra.

Read more about Jenkins’ 25 seasons with Seattle Opera here.