The Scoop - November 14, 2016

Posted by Heather Rutz on Nov 18, 2016

Rotary hosts annual arts awards.

Lima Rotary Club played host Monday to the Fifth Annual Arts Advocacy Luncheon and Awards, helping spotlight three award winners contributing to the community’s culture and economy.

This year’s winners were:

Advocate: Chad Stearns

Creators/Artists: Dave and Bob Lepo

Philanthropist: Tom Ahl and family

Kathleen Phipps, a member of the Arts Advocacy Collaborative of West Central Ohio, emceed the event, emphasizing the economic impact of the arts. A study commissioned nine years ago by Bowling Green State University found that the arts creates 231,000 jobs in Ohio, contributing $25 billion to the state’s economy.

To further the point, the collaborative showed a video created by Stearns, “The Business of Dance,” that focused on the economic impact made by 20 dance studios in the region. For example, those studios use the Veterans Memorial Civic and Convention Center each May and June for recitals, drawing 18,000 people downtown.

The day also included a vocal presentation from Adriane Thompson-Bradshaw, and an opportunity to purchase items from Apollo Career Center floral students and ArtAbility clients.