11/10/2006

Interlochen Center for the Arts picks up national medal

By MARTA HEPLER DRAHOS

mdrahos@record-eagle.com

INTERLOCHEN — Interlochen Center for the Arts President Jeffrey Kimpton skipped school Thursday to attend to more pressing matters — like picking up the National Medal of Arts at the White House.

The nonprofit arts center joined Cincinnati Pops Orchestra conductor Erick Kunzel, the New Orleans' Preservation Hall Jazz Band and seven others as a winner of the 2006 award, the nation's highest honor for artistic excellence.

Kimpton, Interlochen Board of Trustees Chairman Gerald Fischer and 2006 Interlochen Arts Academy Presidential Scholar in the Arts Tyler Hodges received the medal from President George W. Bush in a 9:45 a.m. ceremony in the White House Oval Office. It was followed by a luncheon in the State Dining Room thrown by first lady Laura Bush.

Kimpton said the award recognizes Interlochen's reputation as a pioneer in arts education since its founding in 1928.

"We're a very unique kind of community, and it's a further recognition by the country that we do great work and have done great work," he said.

Other recipients of the 2006 medal include Ann Arbor composer William Bolcom; Los Angeles dancer Cyd Charisse; Brooklyn, N.Y., photographer Roy R. DeCarava; Washington, D.C., arts patron Wilhelmina Holladay; Brooklyn, N.Y., literary translator Gregory Rabassa; Cleveland industrial designer/sculptor Viktor Schreckengost; and Coeburn, Va., bluegrass musician Ralph Stanley.

The National Medal of Arts was established by Congress in 1984 and is awarded by the president to those who have made extraordinary contributions to the creation, growth and support of the arts. Recommendations are made each year by the National Council on the Arts, the National Endowment for the Arts' advisory body.

More than 200 patrons and artists have been honored, including Ray Bradbury, Twyla Tharp, Wynton Marsalis, the Mormon Tabernacle Choir, Maya Angelou, Itzhak Perlman, Yo-Yo Ma, The Juilliard School, Mikhail Baryshnikov, the Boys Choir of Harlem, Gene Kelly, Aaron Copland, Martha Graham and John Updike.

"It's thrilling to see what kind of league it puts us in," said Chris Hintz, Interlochen's national marketing and communications manager. "It's a great, great stride and a great honor."

Kimpton said the medal will be placed in a special display case in front of Interlochen's new library. Interlochen will celebrate the award with a free public orchestra concert at 8 p.m. on Nov. 17.