Americans for the Arts, the nation’s leading nonprofit organization for advancing the arts and arts education, today announced the BCA Hall of Fame Award and BCA Leadership Award honorees for 2015. Duke Energy, the largest electric power holding company in the United States, will receive the BCA Hall of Fame Award. Jorge M. Pérez, Chairman of The Related Group, will receive the BCA Leadership Award.

 

The BCA Hall of Fame Award recognizes companies that have exhibited exceptional long-term vision, leadership, and commitment to developing alliances with the arts. Through civic leadership, volunteerism and financial contributions, Duke Energy fosters arts initiatives that support economic development and cultural diversity in the regions it serves. The company’s contributions helped to create the Levine Center for the Arts in Charlotte and helped ensure the continuation of a partnership between the Charlotte Symphony and Opera Carolina. For over 20 years, Duke Energy has ranked among the top 10 ArtsWave campaign contributors in support of arts and culture in the Greater Cincinnati area. In addition, the company is the title sponsor of the Duke Energy Children’s Museum in Cincinnati, which has consistently ranked in the top 10 children’s museums in the world. Duke Energy was recognized by Americans for the Arts as a BCA 10: Best Businesses Partnering with the Arts honoree in 2009.

 

“Duke Energy is committed to supporting the vitality of the communities we serve,” said Lynn Good, Duke Energy vice chair and CEO. “That includes introducing our young people to the arts at an early age - study after study shows that children benefit immensely from exposure to the arts. Investing in the arts makes good sense, for our business and for our communities.”

 

The BCA Leadership Award recognizes an individual for his/her extraordinary vision, leadership, and commitment to supporting the arts and for encouraging other businesses to follow his/her lead. A true leader in the Miami arts and culture scene, Jorge M. Pérez is a former board member of the National Endowment for the Arts and serves on the board of the Miami Art Museum. He is past chair and currently a member of the Miami-Dade Cultural Affairs Council. TIME magazine named him one of the top 25 most influential Hispanics in the United States.

 

“For me, art is a form of expression and an exchange of cultures and ideas. It enriches my life, and my vision is to provide that experience for the community,” said Pérez. “Related’s philosophy is to support artists and integrate their works into our projects as well as to partner with leading arts organizations in the hopes of creating inspirational spaces and promoting Miami as a thriving cultural epicenter.”  

 

In 2011, the Miami Art Museum renamed itself the Pérez Art Museum Miami after Pérez pledged $40 million in cash and artwork over ten years. In addition, Pérez incorporates the arts in his real estate developments, bringing artists and art projects into The Related Group buildings and community landscapes. 

 

“I am pleased to honor Duke Energy and Jorge Pérez for their long history of dedication, leadership, and support of the arts,” said Robert L. Lynch, president and CEO of Americans for the Arts. “Duke Energy has contributed to a vibrant arts community that provides creative outlets for citizens, exposes local audiences to first-rate performers and exhibits, and drives investment in local businesses. Jorge Pérez’s creativity, commitment, and vision contributed immensely to expanding the arts in Miami-Dade County, positively impacting the lives of local residents as well as visitors.” 

 

The honorees will receive their awards at the BCA 10: Best Businesses Partnering with the Arts in America gala on October 6, 2015, a black-tie affair at the Loeb Boathouse in New York City’s Central Park. 

 

Presented annually by the Business Committee for the Arts (BCA), a division of Americans for the Arts, the BCA 10 awards honor 10 U.S. companies for their exceptional commitment to the arts through grants, local partnerships, volunteer programs, matching gifts, sponsorships, and board membership. 

 

The 2015 BCA 10 honorees are Ameriprise Financial; AutoZone, Inc.; BNY Mellon; Corning Incorporated; GE’s FirstBuild; NV Energy and the NV Energy Foundation; Prospective Inc.; Spec’s Wines, Spirits & Finer Foods; The Trust Company of Kansas; and U.S. Bank. 

 

Corning Incorporated and U.S. Bank are Presenting Sponsors of the BCA 10: Best Businesses Partnering with the Arts in America 2015 gala. 

 

For information regarding BCA 10, please contact Stacy Lasner, Business Committee for the Arts Coordinator at (212) 223-2787or via e-mail at [email protected].

 

Americans for the Arts is the leading nonprofit organization for advancing the arts and arts education in America. With offices in Washington, D.C. and New York City, it has a record of more than 50 years of service. Americans for the Arts is dedicated to representing and serving local communities and creating opportunities for every American to participate in and appreciate all forms of the arts. Additional information is available at AmericansForTheArts.org.

 

Founded in 1967 by David Rockefeller, the Business Committee for the Arts (BCA), a division of Americans for the Arts, encourages, inspires, and stimulates businesses to support the arts in the workplace, in education, and in the community. The Business Committee for the Arts merged with Americans for the Arts in 2008. Visit pARTnershipmovement.org for more information.