Doug Cox, president of the Arts Council of Windham County (ACWC), presented the ACWC’s annual “Friend of the Arts” award to Kate Anderson, ACWC Vice President, on Nov. 21 at a special gathering held at the The Works in Brattleboro, attended by more than 40 people, including many past recipients of the award.

Anderson was chosen to receive the award for her volunteer leadership in building community-wide support for the arts.

“In the relatively short time Kate has been part of the Brattleboro area arts community, she has had an immense impact and has transformed the community in many ways, “ Cox said, “Kate has empowered and inspired many others to work effectively and passionately for the arts.”

Cox added, “ Her kitchen table has been the site of much big dreaming, hard thinking, and effective mentoring.”

Among the local arts organizations Anderson has been deeply involved with, usually in significant leadership roles, are: Alliance for the Arts, Arts Campus Working Group, Arts Council of Windham County, Brattleboro Arts Initiative, (Brattleboro) Town Arts Committee, (Brattleboro) Town Plan Advisory Group, New England Center for Circus Arts, and New England Youth Theater.

Cox said, “Kate has been and will hopefully continue to be a beacon, goad, conscience, and voice of hope for the arts in Windham County.”

Past recipients of the ACWC Friend of the Arts Award include: Beverly Alberts (1997),  Mara Williams (1998), George Becker and Ric Campman (1999),  Helene Henry and Lil Farber (2000),  Don McLean (2001),  Stephen Stearns (2002), ),  Joy Wallens-Penford (2003),   Ines Zeller Bass and Eric Bass (2004), the Brattleboro Development Credit Corporation and Kurt Isaacson (2005),  Jerry Carbone and Meris Morrison (2007), Doug Cox (2008), Gail Nunziata (2009) and Marie Proctor (2010).

The mission of the Arts Council of Windham County (ACWC) is to “To strengthen the environment for artists and arts organizations in Windham County.” For more information about the Arts Council of Windham County, visit its Web site www.acwc.us.

Photo (l-r): Doug Cox (2008), Marie Procter (2010), Kate Anderson (2011), Joy Wallens-Penford (2003),  and Gail Nunziata (2009).