Professor Olu Oguibe will be one of three Connecticut artists receiving the prestigious Governor’s Arts Award for 2013.
Established in 1978, the Connecticut Arts Awards recognize remarkable individuals and organizations for excellence and lifetime achievement in the arts. Since 1978, more than 140 artists, arts organizations, patrons, businesses and individuals have been honored for their dedication to the arts and culture in Connecticut.
Two other Connecticut residents will be honored this year along with Professor Oguibe: poet, essayist, playwright Elizabeth Alexander of Hamden, chairwoman of the African-American studies department at Yale University; and saxophonist, composer, bandleader Jimmy Greene of Newtown, assistant professor of music and assistant coordinator of jazz studies at Western Connecticut State University.
Governor Dannel P. Malloy will present the awards on June 15 at 6:30 p.m. on the New Haven Green, as part of the International Festival for Arts & Ideas.
For this year’s selection, a list of more than 100 names were assembled by the staff of the Office of the Arts from past nominations received as well as new ones. The arts council of about 20 members reviews nominations make their recommendations. The final selection is approved by the Governor’s office.
Previous UConn recipients of this award include puppeteer Frank Ballard and the Benton Museum of Art.