Americans for the Arts, a nonprofit advocacy group, recently presented its National Arts Awards - Awards & Grants - Brief Article

Art in America, Jan, 2004

Americans for the Arts, a nonprofit advocacy group, recently presented its National Arts Awards. At the ceremony, Kirk Varnedoe was the subject of a special memorial tribute for extraordinary contribution to the arts. Christo and Jeanne-Claude won the award for artistic leadership. Richard Avedon was honored for lifetime achievement.

The young artist prize went to film director Sofia Coppola. Teresa Heinz, chairman of the Heinz Endowments and Heinz Family Philanthropies, was honored for arts philanthropy. Vance Coffman, chairman and CEO of Lockheed Martin, was cited for corporate citizenship in the arts.