Dubuque Art Center Recognition of Jan Stoffelt_i)4(1/Ct
THE DUBUQUE ART CENTER SUPPORTS A CULTURALLY VIBRANT AND EQUITABLE COMMUNITY THROUGH ARTS
EDUCATION, PERSONAL EMPOWERMENT, AND COMMUNITY LEADERSHIP INITIATIVES.
AWARD PRESENTATION NOTES
We are pleased to award this years Arts Advocate of Distinction Award to Jan Stoffel, the City
of Dubuque Arts and cultural affairs coordinator.
Jan graduated from Clarke University with a double major in English and Spanish, with course
work in art history. She has spent most of the past 30 years in not - profit marketing, fundraising
and grant writing, most notably with Clarke University and Hillcrest Family Services. She has
been the Arts and Cultural Affairs Coordinator for the city since the position was created
in January of 2009. Reading, collecting original art and traveling - to 28 countries and counting
- have been very important to both her and her husband Bill since their 20s. Upon moving to
Dubuque she was influenced to participate in the arts by Ruth and Russ Nash. Most recently,
She has served on the board of the Dubuque Symphony Orchestra, and currently serves on
the steering committee for Very Special Arts Dubuque and as a board member for DuRide.
A major reason Jan was selected as the recipient of the Arts Advocate of Distinction award was
for her role in facilitating two research studies through American's for the Arts, the leading art
advocacy organization in the country, on behalf of the City of Dubuque. The Arts and Economic
Prosperity Study will provide comprehensive data about how arts, culture, and historic
preservation make a significant economic impact in Dubuque. All art organizations in the City
will be able to use the data in advocating for future funding. The Local Arts Index is a pilot
study to which only one hundred counties throughout the nation were accepted. The study will
measure the strength and vitality of the arts throughout Dubuque County. Work on these
studies started in 2010 and will continue until the spring of 2012, when results will be reported.
When asked about the role of arts and culture in Dubuque, Jan responded "Art and the
awareness of other cultures makes us better people. We learn to appreciate beauty in our
surroundings and in the people we live with. We become smarter and more adept at valuing
the distinctive and the commonplace, the past and the future. We look deeper, enjoy more and
have the ability to transcend ourselves in the experiences and talents of others. With the
dimension of art and culture, Dubuque will continue to offer a full and satisfying life to its
citizens, make a strong impact on our economy and help to attract others to share in and
support the uniqueness of our community."
We are pleased to welcome Jan to the stage to honor her with the Arts Advocate of Distinction
Award. Jan, thank you for all you do.
DUBUQUE ART CENTER • 210 WEST 1ST STREET • DUBUQUE, IA 52001
Kevin Firnstahl - Agenda: Re: arts advocate award
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Juanita Hilkin
Firnstahl, Kevin
10/26/2011 8:47 AM
Agenda: Re: arts advocate award
Award Notes.pdf
»> Mike Van Milligen 10/25/2011 2:25 PM »>
»> Cindy Steinhauser 10/25/2011 1:58 PM »>
Mike
I spoke to Jordan DeGree and below is the follow up email he sent me re: the award for Jan
Stoffel. There was not a "formal" application for her nomination. In was an internal
committee recommendation and the rational is included in the attached note that was
presented by DAC board President Tom Culbertson.
Cindy
»> Jordan DeGree <jordan @dbgartcenter.org> 10/24/2011 3:42 PM »>
Cindy,
I have attached the award presentation notes that Tom used when presenting the award -
they give a good idea of why Jan was chosen and what the award signifies. I also sent this
to Jerelyn last week.
As a preface to these notes, the Arts Advocate of Distinction Award is presented to one
individual annually in recognition of their significant contributions to the growth of arts and
culture in our community. Award recipients demonstrate a deep understanding of the value
that arts and culture bring to community and economic development and passionately work
to increase Dubuque's creative and cultural capacity.
Best,
Jordan
Jordan DeGree
Arts Advocate & Executive Director
Dubuque Art Center
p. 563.556.0117
f. 563.556.0183
dbpartcenter.orq
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