Presented every two years by the Massachusetts Cultural Council,the Commonwealth Awards honor individuals and organizations that have made extraordinary contributions to our communities, our economy, and our quality of life in Massachusetts.

At a State House ceremony on January 13, 2009 Commonwealth Awards were given to the following outstanding individuals and organizations in the categories below:

Creative Economy Catalyst: For an organization, corporation, or individual that has generated substantial new economic activity, produced jobs, and created new income through the arts, humanities, and sciences.


• Peabody Essex Museum, Salem
• Worcester Cultural Coalition

Leadership: For the leader of a nonprofit cultural organization, school, or community who has shown extraordinary commitment to serving the public.

• Louis Casagrande, Boston Children's Museum

Creative Community: For a city, town, or community-based organization that has demonstrated the central role of arts and culture in building healthier, more vital, more livable communities.

• City of Pittsfield, James Ruberto, Mayor

Individual Achievement: For an artist, humanist, or scientist whose creative achievements have uniquely enriched life in Massachusetts.

• Gunther Schuller

Creative Learning: For an individual, school, or cultural organization that has demonstrated the importance of creativity and innovation to student achievement and success.

• Codman Academy Charter Public School, Boston
• Thonah Ep, Lynn

Cultural Philanthropy: For an individual, corporation, or foundation that has made lasting contributions to the cultural life of Massachusetts through charitable giving.

• Barbara Lee Family Foundation
• The Behrakis Foundation

In her keynote speech, Pittsfield native Elizabeth Banks (W., Role Models) described the key role of afterschool arts programming in forming her success as an actress.

Former U.S. Ambassador to Ireland Jean Kennedy Smith accepted two special awards: one for founding the international nonprofit VSA Arts, which expands arts access for people with disabilities; and one on behalf of her brother, Senator Edward M. Kennedy (D-MA), for co-founding the Senate Cultural Caucus.

Brookline's Longwood Symphony performed, and Springfield Republican publisher David Starr was honored for his years of service to the MCC board.

View a photo gallery.

This event was free and open to the public, thanks to the generosity of Bank of America.

Past Commonwealth Award Recipients

Artist
Richard Yarde, 2001
Tina Packer, 1999
Yo-Yo Ma, 1997
Semenya McCord, 1997
Louis Krasner, 1995
Allan Rohan Crite, 1993

Humanist
Doris Kearns Goodwin, 2001
David McCullough, 1999
Joseph D. Thomas, 1997
Julian Crandall Hollick, 1995
Henry Hampton, 1993

Interpretive Scientist
Dr. Lynn Margulis, 2001
Bradford Washburn, 1999
Charles E. Roth, 1997
Bernard Zubrowski, 1995
Dr. Stephen Jay Gould, 1993
Barbara S. Waters, 1993

Community
Revolving Museum, 2007
Raw Art Works, 2005
Cambridge Arts Council, 2003
Community Music School of Springfield, 2001
Clara Wainwright, 1999
Hudson Area Arts Alliance, 1997
Northampton Arts Council, 1995
Somerville Arts Council, 1993


Cultural Organization
Ploughshares, 2007
Wheelock Family Theatre, 2005
DeCordova Museum and Sculpture Park, 2003
New Bedford Whaling Museum - Old Dartmouth Historical Society, 2001
Springfield Library & Museums Association, 1999
Center for Independent Documentary, 1997
Art of Black Dance and Music, 1995
Jacob's Pillow Dance Festival, 1995

Education
Express Yourself, 2007
Shakespeare & Company, 2005
Greater Boston Youth Symphony Orchestras, 2003
North Bennet Street School, 2001
Massachusetts College of Art, 1999
Very Special Arts Massachusetts, 1997
Rosebud C. Holland, 1995
Elma Lewis, 1995
Arts in Progress, 1993

Creative Economy
Boston Cyberarts Festival, 2007

Catalyst (Replaced by Creative Economy Award in 2007)
Michael Maso, 2005
Joseph Thompson, 2003
Arts/Boston, 2001
The LEF Foundation, 1999
Marge Champion, 1997
Aerosmith, 1995
Jane P. Fitzpatrick, 1993
John C. Sevey, 1993

Organizational Leadership
Robert Brustein, 2001
  Founder and Artistic Director, American Repertory Theatre
Jeremy Alliger, 1999
  Founder and Director, Dance Umbrella
Edmund Barry Gaither, 1997
  Director and Curator, National Center of Afro-American Artists
Frederick C. Tillis, 1997
  Director, Fine Arts Center, University of Massachusetts at Amherst
Henry P. Becton, Jr., 1995
  President and General Manager, WGBH
Zeren Earls, 1993
  President and Artistic Director, First Night
DeWitt Henry, 1993
  Executive Director, Ploughshares

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