Americans for the Arts and The United States Conference of Mayors today awarded artist Michael L. Bivins the 2019 National Citizen Artist Award. See the one-minute video about Bivins that was shown during the presentation.

 

Growing up in the Orchard Park Projects of Boston’s Roxbury neighborhood, Bivins’ mother Shirley stressed the importance of education and encouraged her children to follow their passions. In 1978, Bivins created an R&B group called New Edition, and they released their first chart-topping number one single "Candy Girl" in 1983. In 1990, Bivins formed the group Bell Biv DeVoe (BBD). Their debut album, Poison, peaked at number five on the Billboard 200 charts. Bivins was the first young music executive to create a 50/50 joint venture with his Biv Entertainment Company, discovering Grammy award-winning group Boyz II Men with Motown Records. Bivins continues to guide and play an influential role in consulting many R&B artists’ careers. 

 

The Bivins family now focuses their community philanthropic efforts through the Bivfam Foundation, a nonprofit engaged in fundraising, entertainment, and athletic programming for inner-city and underserved youth and adults. 

 

Bivins commented, “The arts and opportunities for urban youth to express themselves artistically are often overlooked or underinvested. Music has been a path to personal success and has given me a career where 40 years later I’m able to inspire fans, new and old, and make impactful contributions to my community.”

 

Robert L. Lynch, president and CEO of Americans for the Arts, commented, “Visionary artists like Michael Bivins, through social impact and artistic talents transform the world around them to not only inspire, but to encourage others to be better citizens.” 

 

“Every year, The U.S. Conference of Mayors recognizes the exemplary efforts of artists who believe as much as we do that the arts are an integral part our society,” remarked Tom Cochran, CEO and Executive Director of The U.S. Conference of Mayors. “Bivins understands the connection between his art and its positive effect upon society.”

 

Americans for the Arts and The United States Conference of Mayors presented their 2019 Public Arts Leadership Awards at the mayors’ Winter Meeting in Washington, DC. Utah Governor Gary Herbert received the National Award for State Arts Leadership; Reno, Nevada Mayor Hillary Schieve received the National Award for Local Arts Leadership for cities with a population of 100,000 or more; Bloomington, Indiana Mayor John Hamilton received the National Award for Local Arts Leadership for cities with a population of fewer than 100,000; and artists Jonathan Green and Kate Raudenbush received the Citizen Artist Award.

 

###

 

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 55 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 www.AmericansForTheArts.org.

 

MEDIA CONTACT

Jay H. Dick

Americans for the Arts

[email protected]

202.437.7856

@JayAFTA