News Release

Betty Price to receive Governor's Arts Award

Nov. 6, 2007

FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT:
Ann Dee Lee
Public Information Director
Oklahoma Arts Council
(405) 521-2931
anndee@arts.ok.gov

Oklahoma City, OK – Betty Price, Oklahoma City, will be honored by Governor Brad Henry at the 32nd Annual Governor’s Arts Awards.  Price will receive the Liddy Doenges Leadership In The Arts Award which recognizes individuals who are visionary and have furnished leadership in the arts that benefit the entire state. Previous honorees include University of Oklahoma President David Boren in 1994 and former State Senator Penny Williams in 2004. The award was designated in memory of Elizabeth Kirkpatrick “Liddy” Doenges of Tulsa, who served six years as a member of the Oklahoma Arts Council and exemplified superb leadership.

Sponsored by the Oklahoma Arts Council, 16 individuals and four organizations will be honored for their contributions to the arts in their communities or throughout the state. The ceremony is scheduled for 4:00 p.m., Wednesday, November 28th in the 4th Floor Rotunda of the State Capitol and is open to the public. Presiding at the ceremony will be Council Chair Jim Tolbert and Interim Executive Director Suzanne Tate.

A recognized leader in the art world, Betty Price served as the Executive Director of the Oklahoma Arts Council from 1983 until her retirement in 2007. Price began her tenure at the Arts Council in 1974 and the arts have been a driving force in her life.

As an advisor to the State Capitol Preservation Commission, Price has been a guiding force in the commissioning and dedication of public art at the State Capitol. She has directed the commissions of major murals, portraits and sculptures in the public areas of the Capitol and was an advisor for the Capitol dome. She is a passionate advocate for public arts funding and the return of art and music teachers to Oklahoma’s elementary schools.

Price has touched almost every aspect of the arts through statewide service on numerous committees. She was a member of the Oklahoma Centennial Commission, the American Indian Cultural Center, Oklahoma Indian Affairs Commission, the National Board of Artrain USA, Oklahoma Tourism Promotion Advisory Committee, Friends of the Mansion and Friends of the Capitol. She has served as an arts advisor to many other state and non-profit entities. 

A member of the Oklahoma Women’s Hall of Fame, Price was honored as the 2006 Red Earth Ambassador of the Year in Oklahoma City. In 2000, she was named State Arts Agency Director of the Year by the National Assembly of State Arts Agencies, Washington, DC.

An accomplished visual artist, Price was represented by Norman Wilks Gallery. She was a private piano instructor before joining Rose State College's Community Service Art faculty during the late 70s and taught school in the Norman and Mid-Del Schools. Price worked for the Oklahoma State Senate as well as Gov. George Nigh.

A reception on the first floor of the Capitol will follow the 4 p.m. ceremony.  A complete list of Governor’s Arts Awards recipients and their photos are available at www.arts.ok.gov. For more information about the Governor’s Arts Awards, please contact Ann Dee Lee at (405) 521-2931 or at anndee@arts.ok.gov.

ABOUT THE OKLAHOMA ARTS COUNCIL

The Oklahoma Arts Council is a state agency whose mission is to improve lives through the arts by promoting and sustaining the development of a thriving arts environment, which is essential to quality of life, education and economic vitality for all Oklahomans.

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