The Commonwealth Awards are the state's highest honors in the arts,
humanities and sciences. Begun in 1993, the awards are given every
two years in recognition of both the well-known and the unsung heroes
who help to improve our quality of life.
Commonwealth Awards are given to outstanding individuals and organizations
in the following five categories. The 2007 Commonwealth Awards were
sponsored by Bank of America.
Creative Economy:
This new award will be presented
to an individual or group that has taken the lead in integrating
arts and culture into successful efforts to spur new economic
activity, create jobs, and generate income.
Community: A
local cultural council, cultural organization, or artist
who has significantly integrated the arts, humanities, or
sciences into a community.
Cultural Organization:
For overall artistic/humanistic/scientific excellence and
impact on public life.
Education: An
individual, cultural organization, or school that has developed
a model education program in the arts, humanities, or sciences.
Individual Achievement:
For overall excellence by an artist, humanist,
or interpretive scientist. Achievement.
Commonwealth Award Recipients
Individual Achievement
(Previously Artist, Humanist & Interpretive Scientist
categories)
Peter O'Connell,
2007
Laurie Kahn-Leavitt,
2005
Tim Chan Thou, 2005
Julie Harris, 2003
Stanley Kunitz, 2003
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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