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

 

Raudenbush, a New York-based, Burning Man-bred artist, connects deeply with environmental issues and the potential perils of humanity’s evolution. She is a creator of monolithic, immersive, and allegorical sculpture works that catalyze social engagement and shift consciousness while exploring themes ranging from technological sustainability to creation myth, and from self-empowerment to environmental awareness. She synthesizes materials such as structural steel, wood, mirror, and LED light programing to construct her concepts 

 

As a self-taught sculpture artist, the power of her work lies in its ability to raise awareness of important social and environmental concerns without compromising beauty and aesthetics. As the longest running solo female artist at Burning Man, Raudenbush created the first Burning Man sculpture to be collected for the permanent collection in a U.S. museum in 2007.

 

Raudenbush’s works and words have been exhibited and published in art museums from the Renwick Gallery Smithsonian Museum in Washington, DC, to the Hangaram Art Museum in Seoul, South Korea—as well as international art fairs from Miami to the Hamptons. Her art has been featured in festivals in Amsterdam, Las Vegas, Santiago, Montreal, San Francisco, New York City, and in the creative vanguard of many epic, fiery gatherings at Burning Man.

 

“Creativity expands consciousness and creates the cultural identity of our communities. It is the highest mark of any civilization. What we create is who we are,” said Raudenbush. 

 

Robert L. Lynch, president and CEO of Americans for the Arts, commented, “Visionary artists like Kate Raudenbush, 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. “Raudenbush understands the connection between her 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 Michael L. Bivens, and Jonathan Green received the Citizen Artist Award.

 

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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.

 

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