On Thursday, September 28, Step Afrika! won this year’s Mayor’s Arts Award for Excellence in Performing Arts. The Company’s previous Mayor’s Arts Awards include Excellence in an Artistic Discipline (2012), Innovation in the Arts (2008), and Outstanding Contribution to Arts Education (2005). These awards are the most prestigious honor the city can bestow upon the arts, humanities, and creative community, and Step Afrika! is grateful to have been celebrated once again.

OFFICIAL PRESS RELEASE:

(Washington, DC) – Today, Mayor Muriel Bowser presented the 38th Annual Mayor’s Arts Awards to honor artists and organizations and celebrate the District’s arts, humanities, and creative communities. The event took place at Lincoln Theatre and was produced by the Office of Cable Television, Film, Music, and Entertainment (OCTFME) and the Creative Affairs Office (CAO). The theme of this year’s awards is “Born Bold.”

“Every year, the Mayor’s Arts Awards allows us to celebrate and shine a spotlight on the artists and creatives who keep DC vibrant,” said Mayor Bowser. “The Arts Awards, Theatre Week, Art All Night and Dine All Night – these are all fantastic opportunities to show our gratitude for creatives and makers in DC. Now, as we wrap up another successful 202Creates Month, let’s continue to uplift and support our vibrant creative community.”

The Mayor’s Arts Awards is the most prestigious honor the city can bestow upon the arts, humanities, and creative community. District residents across all eight wards nominated, voted, and selected the winners in 13 of the 14 categories via online voting.

“Tonight’s ‘Born Bold’ 38th Annual Mayor’s Arts Awards was a true testament to the unparalleled talent that calls Washington, DC home,” said the Director of the Office of Cable Television, Film, Music, and Entertainment LaToya Foster. “From the opening act to the final curtain call, our city’s gifted artists unequivocally showcased that when it comes to talent, our city stands second to none.”

The Mayor’s Arts Awards celebrates, showcases, and amplifies the power of community, connection, and resilience in all eight wards of the District, honoring local creative leaders, visionaries, and trendsetters.

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Award for Excellence in Performing Arts: Step Afrika!
The Award for Excellence in Performing Arts honors an individual, group, nonprofit organization, or private entity that has made significant contributions in the Performing Arts in the District of Columbia, through the direct practice and/or performance of their artistic work. Performing Arts disciplines honored may include but are not limited to: All dance disciplines and styles, including, but not limited to jazz, tap, ballet, modern, hip-hop, folk, and ballroom. Theatre practitioners, including, but not limited to actors and directors. Music community and organizations, including, but not limited to composers, singers, instrumentalists, bands, orchestras, small and large ensembles, and choruses.

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