Sally Ordway Irvine Awards
Since 1992, the Sally Awards have honored individuals and institutions that strengthen and enrich our entire state with their commitment to the arts and arts education. The awardees’ talents and determination help make Minnesota’s quality of life excellent and its culture unique and rich.
The Sally Award is based on the “First Trust Award” presented in 1986 to Sally Ordway Irvine, whose initiative, vision, and commitment inspired the creation of Ordway Center for the Performing Arts. Her award is permanently installed in Ordway’s Marzitelli Foyer.
To honor Sally’s commitment to all of the arts, the Sally Awards are presented annually to acknowledge achievement and contribution in the three areas for which Sally herself was recognized: Vision, Initiative, and Commitment. A fourth category, Education, was added in 1996 to acknowledge the importance of education in nurturing a passion for the arts in future generations. Each year, one person or organization is honored in each of these four categories:
Vision recognizes exemplary creative thinking and strategic leadership in support of a particular project or development of a body of work that will have long-term impact on the community. Examples include creation of new artistic/cultural opportunities, expanding access to the arts, or leading the community in new directions.
Initiative recognizes bold new steps taken by an established or emerging artistic or cultural individual/organization that has had a significant impact on strengthening Minnesota's artistic/cultural community.
Commitment recognizes lifetime achievement, contribution, and leadership in the arts and culture.
Education recognizes an individual/organization or particular project that has had a significant impact on education or mentoring in the arts and has contributed to increasing knowledge about the arts throughout the community.
The 2009 Sally Ordway Irvine Awards were held on March 22, 2010. They were made possible in part with the generous support of the John and Marla Ordway Charitable Lead Trust. Ordway gratefully acknowledges Minnesota Public Radio and the Minnesota State Arts Board for their partnership in making the 2009 Sally Awards possible.
Past Recipients
2009
VSA arts of Minnesota - Vision
Bedlam Theatre - Initiative
Myron Johnson - Commitment
T. Mychael Rambo - Education
2008
Mixed Blood Theatre - Vision
Bruce Coppock - Initiative
Wendy Lehr - Commitment
St. Francis Music Center - Education
2007
Rick Shiomi - Vision
Michael Burgraff - Initiative
Al Milgrom - Commitment
Project SUCCESS - Education
2006
Joe Dowling - Vision
Hal Cropp - Initiative
Dale Schatzlein - Commitment (posthumously)
Arts for Academic Achievement - Education
2005
Seitu Jones - Vision
Chris Osgood - Initiative
Joan Mondale - Commitment
SteppingStone Theatre - Education
2004
Graywolf Press - Vision
Gary Hines - Initiative
Leigh Kamman - Commitment
Park Square Theatre - Education
2003
Dale Warland - Vision
BJ Shigaki/Rochester Arts Center - Initiative
Bruce Carlson - Commitment
Sheila Livingston - Education
2002
KFAI Fresh Air Radio - Vision
Textile Center of Minnesota - Initiative
Lawrence M. Redmond and Minnesota Citizens for the Arts - Commitment
MacPhail Center for the Arts - Education
2001
Minnesota Fringe Festival - Vision
Maya Lopez-Santamaria - Initiative
Philip Brunelle - Commitment
Pillsbury House Theatre's Chicago Avenue Project - Education
2000
Wing Young Huie - Vision
The Loft Literary Center - Initiative
Sage and John Cowles, Jr. - Commitment
Linwood A+ Elementary School - Education
1999
Michael Robins and Bonnie Morris - Vision
Rick Kvam - Initiative
George Morrison - Commitment
Pamela Paulson - Education
Carl B. Drake, Jr. - Distinguished (Special Award in 1999)
1998
Armando Gutierrez - Vision
Marj Hawkins - Initiative
Sen. Dick Cohen - Commitment
St. Paul Central Touring Theatre Program - Education
1997
Theatre de la Jeune Lune - Vision
Grand Marais Art Colony - Initiative
Elizabeth W. Musser - Commitment
John Caddy - Education
1996
Dorit Cypis for Kulture Klub - Vision
Patrick's Cabaret - Initiative
Judson Bemis Sr. - Commitment
Minnesota Rural Arts Initiative - Education (inaugural)
1995
John R. Killacky - Vision
Intermedia Arts - Initiative
In the Heart of the Beast Puppet and Mask Theatre - Commitment
1994
Asian American Renaissance - Vision
Rebecca Petersen - Initiative
Lou Bellamy - Commitment
1993
John Davis - Vision
Native Arts Circle - Initiative
Topsy Simonson - Commitment
1992 (Inaugural)
Artspace Projects, Inc. - Vision
The Jungle Theater - Initiative
Bruce Dayton - Commitment