Mayor Donnalee Lozeau (R - Nashua, NH)

2015 Honoree - Local Arts Leadership Award

Biography

Donnalee Lozeau, Mayor of Nashua, New Hampshire, was awarded the 2015 National Award for Local Arts Leadership for cities with a population fewer than 100,000 at the United States Conference of Mayors’ Winter Meeting.

“Mayor Lozeau embodies the best of what a civic leader can do to promote the arts,” said Robert L. Lynch, president and CEO of Americans for the Arts. “She understands the important role the arts play in advancing the economy and uniting communities. Americans for the Arts applauds Mayor Lozeau’s accomplishments and the efforts made by all civic leaders to support and promote arts and arts education nationwide.”

Since her term began in January 2008, Mayor Lozeau has supported the arts and culture of Nashua in innovative ways. She provided resources to support an arts organization whose mission was to provide permanent public art for the city. During her tenure, Nashua became the only city in the United States to host an annual international sculpture symposium, the Nashua International Sculpture Symposium (NISS). To generate design ideas for a major roadway and bridge construction project in the city, Mayor Lozeau hosted the first ever Nashua International Design Competition. Additionally, Mayor Lozeau formed a steering committee resulting in the passage of legislation to form the Nashua Arts Commission. She has also supported efforts to produce the first-ever dedicated arts and cultural plan for the City of Nashua.

“I am honored to accept this recognition and share it with the city of Nashua, New Hampshire,” said Mayor Lozeau. “The partnership with The U.S. Conference of Mayors and Americans for the Arts demonstrates awareness that a vibrant arts presence is critical to the success of a community. Art is timeless: it entertains us, provokes conversation between strangers, and spurs inspiration. It is a language that needs no translation.”