A DaVinci Award for MAGGIE GUGGENHEIMER

This post is part of a continued series distinguishing individuals and groups by presenting a DaVinci award or a Velvet Elvis award for their role in promoting Charlottesville as the "cultural and creative capital of Central Virginia".

With a name like Guggenheimer, you know she’s got to have a little of the arts in her. And that’s exactly what Charlottesville is finding out about the Piedmont Council of the Arts’ Executive Director, Maggie Guggenheimer.

  

For those of you who are unfamiliar with PCA… It provides arts information and services, builds and enhances cultural partnerships, and strives to showcase Central Virginia as an arts destination. PCA’s vision is to serve as a "nexus for all things arts-related" in the community and provides services with and for artists, arts organizations, and arts educators.

Maggie took over PCA a little over a year ago when the organization appeared to be rudderless. In just a handful of months she has put PCA back on the map, and we are seeing some of the fruits of her leadership and energy. What impresses me the most is knowing how much Maggie is getting done with very few resources. Thus far, PCA has implemented new arts education and access programs with local government, area educators, and community partners; it recently launched a new and improved website; and it has relocated its offices to the more visible (and appropriate) McGuffy Art Center. All of this on a budget that barely covers wages and rent.

For the future, I envision Maggie taking on a bigger role in PCA’s fund raising and really getting PCA’s goals off the ground (we all know money is what makes things move). Partnerships with nonprofits will expand to partnerships with commercial businesses. Artists, arts organizations, educators, students and the public will all benefit. Although it’s a 30 year old organization, I see Maggie giving PCA a bright new beginning. Gosh, I hope my crystal ball is working.

Award SCORECARD, thus far:

DaVinci – Beryl Solla, Rob Tarbell, Elizabeth Breeden

Velvet Elvis – University of Virginia Art Museum, Charlottesville City Council, Pinkie and CvilleMUSE