The Northampton Arts Council will present its annual arts awards at this year’s REALLY BIG SHOW, Sunday, February 28^th, 2pm at the Academy of Music Theatre. This is the last Sunday in the Four Sundays in February 2010 series.

Since the early 1980s, the Northampton Arts Council has been giving awards annually for two categories of excellence in the arts. The award for Dynamic Impact in the Arts is given to an artist (or arts organization) who demonstrates rare achievement in the arts, either during that year or over a period of years. The award in recent years was named after Jane Ahlfeld, in appreciation for her many years of service as chair of the Arts Council. The award for Community Service in the Arts is given to an individual or business who has made a tremendous effort on behalf of the arts. This award is named after Keen Hahn, who spent many years working at the Northampton Center for the Arts before his untimely death. The Northampton Arts Council will present its annual arts awards at this year’s REALLY BIG SHOW, Sunday, February 28th at the Academy of Music Theatre.

The Keen Hahn Award for Community Service in the Arts is awarded to the Commonwealth Center for Change (C3).

C3 a nonprofit organization based in Northampton whose mission is to enable connection, collaboration, and creativity among artists, social mission organizations, and innovative mobilization projects. We believe that we are all builders of culture and community, strengthened by our differences. Through creativity, collaboration, sharing of resources, and recognition of all voices, we are activated to develop a vibrant and resilient community for all. C3 is home to Valley Time Trade, Valley Art Share, storefrontART, Common Wealth Exchange and Social Change Roundtable and provides fiscal sponsorship for other community-oriented projects. To support C3 and get involved visit: www.commonwealthcenter.org

The Jane Ahfeld Award for Dynamic Impact goes to Beau Flahive.

Beau Flahive has been teaching at Northampton High School for the past 10 years.  She is the founder and director of “The Northamptones”, the NHS Chamber Choir and directs the High School Chorus. Beau came to the valley in 1978 and received 2 degrees in music from U Mass and an M.A. from Smith College in musicology. She has been teaching in the area for 30 years; first as a private voice and piano instructor through Continuing Ed at U Mass, then as a High School teacher and department head at The Stoneleigh Burnham School in Greenfield.  Beau taught at Springfield College for 3 years and later opened a studio on Green St. in Northampton where she and a team of teachers gave lessons and classes in voice and piano. There, she founded the local adult a cappella group “The Green Street Brew”.  Beau took the Northampton High School position with the intention of staying 5 years to help develop a thriving choral program. 10 years later, she is still there enjoying every minute of it. Beau resides with her family in Northampton and intends to continue contributing her talent and energy to her community for years to come.  

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sondra peron, arts administrator

northampton arts council

240 main street, room 5

northampton, ma  01060

http://www.northamptonartscouncil.org

413-587-1069 direct (mon/wed/fri)

413-587-1269 office

413-587-1548 fax