Americans for the Arts recently announced that Janet T. Langsam, CEO of ArtsWestchester of has been honored with the Selina Roberts Ottum Award at the Americans for the Arts digital Annual Convention and Public Art & Civic Design Conference. This award recognizes an individual working in arts management who has made a meaningful contribution to his/her local community and who exemplifies extraordinary leadership qualities and is part of a suite of leadership awards that recognize the achievements of individuals and organizations committed to enriching their communities through the arts.
Langsam has led the organization to financially and promotionally support all of the arts in Westchester County through government, corporate and institutional partnerships. During her 29-year tenure, Langsam, an artist and journalist, has helped grow the organization to a $4.9 million agency and has made the arts more visible, diverse and accessible for residents. As CEO, she advocates for funding, supports local artists and cultural organizations, champions the county”™s arts community, and reports on the economic impact of the arts. Among her many achievements, Langsam spearheaded the purchase and reimagining of an abandoned historic bank building into an arts incubator for artists, architects and creative businesses. She holds a master”™s degree from New York University”™s Graduate School of Public Service.
Americans for the Arts”™ Annual Convention and Public Art & Civic Design Conference brings together arts and community leaders to network and discuss strategies for building stronger towns, counties and cities through the arts. What started as a small group of 45 people in 1955 has now grown to more than 1,000 each year and continues to grow 10-15 percent annually
