In an official press release before Thanksgiving, the Pennsylvnia Council on the Arts executive director Philip Horn announced that the 2009 Governor's Awards for the Arts, postponed last fall, will take place in York on Thursday, April 8, 2010.

"We are delighted to be back on track planning this commonwealth event with the assistance of the region's arts and cultural community, the Cultural Alliance of York County, and a committee of dedicated local advisors and volunteers," Horn said. "This event is one that the Governor, First Lady, and the state's cultural community look forward to each year and it was a difficult decision to postpone our original plans for last October. We are very happy to once again be working with York's vibrant arts organizations, artists, community and cultural leaders on plans for the ceremony and surrounding festivities."

The planning committee representing York's community of artists and arts organizations, including the York Symphony Orchestra, York Youth Symphony and York Junior Symphony has met and is re-activating plans for a diverse array of performances, fine arts and crafts displays, and children's arts activities to represent the region's cultural assets. Most activities on the day of the awards will take place in and around the downtown area. The arts award ceremony will be free and open to the public.

The Governor's Awards for the Arts recognize individuals and organizations for artistic excellence and outstanding contributions for artistic excellence and outstanding contributions to the cutural life of the Commonwealth through their work, programs, leadership, and service. Past recipients include Jimmy Stewart, Marian Anderson, Andrew Wyeth, James Michener, Fred Rogers, August Wilson, Marilyn Horne, M. Night Shymamalan, Rob and Kathleen Marshall, Lang Lang, and Michael Keaton.

 http://www.2009pagaa.blogspot.com/