Linda Carlisle receives the 2017 O.Henry Award for her extraordinary contributions to the cultural development of Greensboro
Greensboro, N.C., January 19, 2017 — ArtsGreensboro together with the Greensboro Chamber of Commerce tonight awarded the coveted 2017 O.Henry Award to Linda Carlisle. The award was presented at the Chamber’s signature 2017 Annual Dinner event at the Koury Convention Center in Greensboro.
The O.Henry Award honors individuals who have made an extraordinary contribution to the cultural development of Greensboro over the course of their lifetimes. A passionate leader in the arts, Linda Carlisle was recognized for her strong support of the arts and culture and philanthropic work here in Greensboro.
Carlisle has been extensively involved in the nonprofit sector, providing leadership, strategic planning, financial expertise and key resource development. Her community work has included serving on the boards of the Chamber of Commerce, Community Foundation of Greater Greensboro, UNC-G Board of Trustees, United Arts Council, and the UNCSA Board of Trustees among others.
During her time serving as the Secretary of the North Carolina Department of Cultural Resources, her key focus was to expand the understanding of the Creative Economy’s impact and contribution to the state’s economic environment. She worked on the local, state, and national level to communicate the positive impact of Cultural Resources to attract and retain jobs, enhance the education of children, and grow stronger communities.
Carlisle was also a strong proponent of the SmART Cities/smART Towns Initiative which is an arts-driven economic development plan for the cities and towns of North Carolina. She worked to ensure Grenesboro’s participation in this program, which resulted in a successful, two day charrette that brought three artist teams from around the county to explore Greensboro and share their insights on enhancing the Downtown through public art.
The O. Henry Award was presented by ArtsGreensboro President & CEO Tom Philion at the Greensboro Partnership’s annual dinner on Thursday, January 19.
Past recipients of the O. Henry Award include Betty Cone, Kathy Manning, Dr. Richard Cox, Linda Sloan, Susan Shore Schwartz, Joseph M. Bryan, Jr., Barbara and Herman Cone, Louis Patseavouris, Shirley Spears, Bernie and Bobbie Mann, Logie Meachum, and Brenda Schlunes.
For more information about ArtsGreensboro’s O.Henry Award, please contact Kaitlin Smith at 336-373-7523 ext. 246 or visit www.artsgreensboro.org.
