Award-winning filmmaker Ava DuVernay will be honored by MacDowell, presenting her with its inaugural Marian MacDowell Arts Advocacy Award to her media company, ARRAY.
“I am touched that our narrative change collective ARRAY, which is built upon a mission to articulate and amplify stories from the widest range of art makers, is being honored in Ms. MacDowell’s name,” DuVernay said in a statement. “I look forward to cultivating a partnership between ARRAY and MacDowell to enable more artists of color, specifically women, to be a part of the residency program in coming years.”
According to its website, MacDowell is a leading contemporary arts organization that provides essential support for artists by bringing together diverse, multidisciplinary talent to exchange ideas and pursue creative work. The country’s preeminent artist residency program has provided more than 8,400 emerging and established artists of exceptional talent with Fellowships that are awarded through a rigorous peer-review process based solely on artistic talent.
MacDowell will host a virtual ceremony on Oct. 19. Actress and former chair of the National Endowment for the Arts, Jane Alexander, will present the award.
Last month, DuVernay was selected to receive the prestigious Dorothy and Lillian Gish Prize in recognition of her ongoing achievements in inspiring change through the power of film and television.
“When I was notified about the lovely prize, I asked to read Ms. Gish’s actual words regarding this gift as drafted in her will. She said the prize was to go to an artist who contributes to our understanding of ‘the beauty of life.’ What a notion,” DuVernay said in a statement. “With her description, my own view of what I do has shifted slightly more toward embracing the beauty around me and welcoming it at every turn. This is one of those moments, and I am grateful.”
