Information: Sarah Sidman | 206-788-3051 | sarahsidman@artsfund.org
ArtsFund, Vice President of Strategic Initiatives & Communications
For Immediate Release
February 7, 2019
ARTSFUND’S CELEBRATION OF THE ARTS LUNCHEON
TO HIGHLIGHT THE SOCIAL IMPACT OF THE ARTS, ESPECIALLY ON YOUTH
Seattle, WA – ArtsFund will host its 31ST annual Celebration of the Arts Luncheon on Wednesday, March 20, 2019 at the Westin Seattle. Stanford Thompson, musician and educator, will deliver the keynote address, which will center on how arts drive positive outcomes for youth. ArtsFund will honor Mary Pigott with the Outstanding Contribution to the Arts award. Mimi Gan, Principal, Mi2 Media, will serve as Master of Ceremonies.
The luncheon theme is the social impact of the arts. ArtsFund Interim CEO Sandy McDade explained this year’s focus: “Arts build community. ArtsFund’s recent Social Impact of the Arts Study is rich with insights and data supporting that fact and has inspired this theme. The program will emphasize, in particular, how the arts promote equity and positive outcomes in youth development and education. We look forward to gathering business, civic, and cultural leaders in celebration and support of the arts.”
The luncheon is generously supported by Premier Sponsors Delta Dental of Washington, Microsoft Corporation, and Wells Fargo; by Event Sponsors The Boeing Company, Columbia Bank, NHL Seattle, and Stoel Rives LLP; and by Supporting Sponsors Fox Rothschild LLP, Hyatt Regency Seattle, a Hedreen Project, Mithun, and Safeco Insurance.
Registration is available until March 6, 2019 at https://connect.artsfund.org/luncheon-2019. For more information, visit www.artsfund.org or call 206.281.9050.
About Stanford Thompson:
STANFORD THOMPSON is a musician and educator who serves as the Founder and Executive Director of Play On, Philly! and Founding Board Chairman of El Sistema USA, organizations delivering quality music education to thousands of students in underserved areas throughout Philadelphia and across the country.
Recently recognized as a TED Fellow, Stanford believes that arts education is a powerful tool for social change and that collective music-making offers important lessons and opportunities in youth and community development. Mr. Thompson is the Dean of the Sphinx LEAD program and faculty member of the Global Leaders Program and SAAVY Arts Venture while regularly presenting at universities and music conservatories about leadership, entrepreneurship and social justice. As a consultant, he has guided the strategic development of dozens of arts programs across the United States to develop new initiatives that provide equitable access to the arts.
As a professional trumpeter, he has performed as soloist and section member with major international orchestras and continues to perform chamber music and jazz. Stanford currently serves on the boards of the Marian Anderson Award, American Composers Forum and the Philadelphia Wind Symphony, and was previously a board member for the Curtis Institute of Music, Interlochen Center for the Arts, and El Sistema USA. Stanford is a native of Atlanta, GA and holds degrees from The Curtis Institute of Music and the New England Conservatory’s Sistema Fellows Program.
About Mary Pigott:
MARY PIGOTT has made a significant impact on our community through her leadership, board service and volunteer work, and generous support of numerous nonprofits throughout the Puget Sound region including many arts and cultural organizations. As a fourth generation Pacific Northwesterner, she is well attuned and responsive to the challenges and needs of our community. Though Mary’s interests are many and her positive impact is widely felt, she is particularly passionate about supporting organizations focused on the arts, social justice, women’s health, the environment, and youth development.
Throughout her career she has lived and studied in Switzerland, held leadership positions within the Issaquah and Lake Washington school districts, owned and operated a book store, and raised her children on her family’s farm. She is also a former Executive Director of the Satterberg Foundation, which strengthens our community by promoting a just society and a sustainable environment. Of her work at the Foundation Mary has said, “Grantmaking is more than dollars out the door, it’s about integrity, community, joy, compassion, respect, responsibility, and lifelong learning.” This encapsulates the thoughtful and wholehearted approach she brings her to philanthropic pursuits.
Mary has formerly served on the board of Seattle Children’s Theatre, and currently serves on the boards of the Satterberg Foundation, the Norcliffe Foundation, and ArtsFund.
Mary enjoys spending time with her family, attending arts events, exploring the outdoors, traveling, and learning about the amazing diversity of life on our planet.
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ArtsFund’s Mission: ArtsFund strengthens the community by supporting the arts through leadership, advocacy, and grant making.
ArtsFund’s Vision: A community with a dynamic and world-class arts and cultural sector where the arts are accessible to all and valued as central and critical to a healthy society.