GovState receives Member of the Year Award for art and cultural initiatives in hospitality industry
Visit Chicago Southland recognizes the University's outstanding contributions
By Sarah Shoaf, Staff Writer
Sparking and nurturing creativity through its art and cultural initiatives, Governors State University (GovState) was recently recognized with the Member of the Year Award by Visit Chicago Southland for its outstanding contributions to the organization and the hospitality industry.
“The award tells us that the work we do matters and the unification of our efforts make us a cultural force that is transformative,” said Scott Sowinski, Executive Director of the Center for Performing Arts (the Center). “It feels great that we all had a hand in elevating our community. It also recognizes our amazing teams—it is through them that such an award is possible.”
GovState’s Center for Performing Arts, Nathan Manilow Sculpture Park (theNate), and Chicago Southland International Film Festival (CSIFF) make up an arts hub that offers a variety of creative outlets to the local community and beyond, positioning itself as a continual and consistent cultural destination.
“I think we are a cultural landmark. We have been here a long time and arts and culture sustained for upwards of decades is pretty impressive,” added Sowinski.
Building on the idea of a cultural landmark, Jeff Stevenson, Director and Curator of theNate and Visual Arts Gallery, highlighted the University’s longstanding commitment to supporting and educating area residents and businesses.
“The award recognizes that the leadership at GovState, past and present, understands the importance of not only offering these opportunities to our own students, but also to area schools, residents in our surrounding communities, as well as visitors from around the world,” said Stevenson. “Chicago Southland becomes a destination through what we do here at GovState, in tandem with our area partners and other attractions.”
Sowinski expressed a similar sentiment. “GovState is now more than a hidden gem, it is an outwardly explored iconic representation of art at its best.”
This iconic representation shows through GovState’s “unique cultural and artistic programming and experiences that can’t be found elsewhere in the Southland,” added Josh Young, Director of GovState’s Department of Digital Learning & Media Design and co-founder of CSIFF.
“From our Chicago Southland International Film Festival, which offers the only film screening event of its kind in the south suburban region, to the Nathan Manilow Sculpture Park, which offers a world-class sculptural experience, to the Center for Performing Arts, which hosts theatrical, musical, and educational programming in a facility that rivals theaters in the city, GovState is a hub of arts and culture in the Southland.”
Young says this award is an honor that inspires him and his team to continue bringing diverse cinematic programming to the Southland.
“To know that the Chicago Southland International Film Festival played a part in adding to the rich tapestry offered at Governors State University, thus helping to secure this award, is truly rewarding,” said Young.