News
June 20, 2017Hon. Jack McEneny Receives Norman S. Rice Arts, Culture & Education Award
The Downtown Albany Business Improvement District (BID) presented the 2017 Norman S. Rice Arts, Culture & Education Award to local author, historian and former New York State Assemblymember Hon. John “Jack” McEneny at the Garden Party fundraiser event held at Albany City Hall on June 16. The annual award recognizes individuals who have demonstrated significant accomplishment in promoting arts, culture and education within the community.
McEneny has helped tell Albany’s story for nearly 40 years as a historian and the author of acclaimed non-fiction works such as Albany: Capital City on the Hudson. Born and raised in Albany, he attended Christian Brothers Academy and Siena College. As a volunteer for the Peace Corps, his passion for education led him to help found a school in Columbia that remains in operation 50 years later. Upon his return to the area, he continued to dedicate himself to education through teaching, counseling, and training programs, becoming the youngest director in the history of the Albany County Neighborhood Youth Corps before being appointed by Mayor Erastus Corning 2nd as Albany’s first Commissioner of the federal Comprehensive Employment & Training Act program. He entered New York State public service as the inaugural director of the Urban Cultural Parks System, helping to preserve the state’s most vital natural, historic and cultural resources. McEneny won a seat in the Albany County Legislature with a write-in campaign and went on to serve for nearly two decades representing the 104th district in the New York State Assembly. He remains deeply involved in the preservation of local history, sitting on the Regional Parks Commission and the Commission for the Restoration of the Capitol, and can still be seen lecturing at numerous institutions throughout the Capital Region.
The award is dedicated in recognition of the legacy of its first recipient, Norman S. Rice, to the cultural and educational landscape of the Capital Region arts community. Past awardees have included Mark Schaming, Owen Smith, David Alan Miller, Maggie Mancinelli Cahill, Tony Iadicicco, Youth FX, and Tammis Groft. Norman Rice served as Albany’s City Historian and the Director of the Albany Institute of History and Art for 20 years.
“I’ve worked with Jack for many years, and his passion for the history of Albany has consistently inspired me,” said Rice. “He’s been an amazing resource and representative for the people of this city, and I’m proud to help recognize his many achievements.”
“Jack’s incredible, wide-ranging career encapsulates the commitment to arts, culture and education that this award represents,” said Georgette Steffens, Executive Director of the Downtown Albany BID. “When he speaks about the history of Albany, he transports you to a time and place like few others can.”
“Jack is truly a champion of our city’s culture and rich history”, said Albany Mayor Kathy Sheehan. “As we launch the Downtown is Pawsome exhibit celebrating a beloved local landmark and our vibrant arts community, it seems quite fitting to honor another Albany legend.”
“It’s an honor to receive the Norman Rice Award,” said McEneny. “Serving the residents of the Capital District and sharing our story with the world has been a true privilege. I’m proud to join the previous recipients of this award, who have each added so much life to our community.”
Friday’s event also served as the official opening for the BID’s 2017 placemaking exhibit, Downtown is Pawsome, a public art project featuring 20 three-foot-tall sculptures based on Albany’s famous canine resident and local landmark Nipper the Dog, each colorfully customized by regional artists and placed on display at locations throughout Downtown from June 2017 through May 2018. The first 10 sculptures have been installed, with the second “litter” of painted pups arriving in early July. More information and a walking tour map is available at www.downtownalbany.org/downtownispawsome.
In 2005, the outdoor placemaking program (formerly “Sculpture in the Streets”) was established to connect Downtown employees, residents and visitors with the places they share by reinventing public spaces with various art forms. From regional creators to world renowned artists like Seward Johnson and George Rickey, the exhibits have attracted thousands annually. Similar past projects included the installation of customized pianos as part of Luke Jerram’s internationally touring Play Me, I’m Yours series in 2014 and giant Dutch clogs celebrating Albany’s history in 2012, all enhanced by the Capital Region’s local art community. A call for artists issued for the Downtown is Pawsome project was met with an outpouring of enthusiasm; nearly 90 entries were received from individuals and community groups. Due to the positive response, and thanks in part to the support of the Amplify Albany Grant Program administered by the City of Albany Capital Resource Corporation and Capitalize Albany Corporation, the original 10 dogs planned for the project was doubled to 20.
The Garden Party was presented by the Mohawk Hudson Humane Society and the Downtown Albany Business Improvement District. Proceeds from the event will benefit programs of the Humane Society and the continued revitalization of downtown Albany.
The Downtown is Pawsome free outdoor public Placemaking exhibit is sponsored by the Mohawk Hudson Humane Society, 80 State Street LLC, the Albany County Convention & Visitors Bureau, Palace Theatre, Upside Collective, Albany Center Gallery, Broadway Plaza Liquor, Capital Region Chamber, Couch White LLP, and media partner Nippertown. Special thanks to the City of Albany Department of General Services, DeCrescente Distributing Company, The Enchanted Florist of Albany, Mazzone Hospitality, the Times Union Center, and the Downtown is Pawsome curatorial committee: Tony Iadicicco and Anna Wettergreen of Albany Center Gallery, Greg Haymes and Sara Ayers of Nippertown, and graphic designer Lee Dixon. Sponsorship opportunities are still available; please contact the BID for more information.
