Congratulations to the 2018 Arts Awards Recipients!  The Arts Council of Greater New Haven is thrilled to announce the winners of its 38th Annual Arts Awards, celebrating Phenomenal Women. This year's awardees are: Jackie Downing A professional arts advocate throughout her career, Jackie Downing is a triple threat as an actor, arts administrator, and nonprofit leader in the community. Hanan HameenLupus advocate, dance instructor, and educator Hanan Hameen is a visionary artist, activist, and longtime arts leader in New Haven. Ruby Melton With a broad lens and hands-on approach, Ruby Melton has been a steadfast supporter of the arts for many decades in New Haven and nationally. Elinor Slomba In Elinor Slomba, our creative community has found a cultural point person, trusted advisor, and independent thinker. Hanifa Nayo Washington Hanifa Nayo Washington is a healer, truth-teller, activist, producer, and weaver of community stories. The recipient of the C. Newton Schenck III Award for Lifetime Achievement in and Contribution to the Arts is Representative Rosa DeLauro, a steadfast champion of arts, culture and community. THE 38TH ANNUAL ARTS AWARDS LUNCHEON DECEMBER 7, 2018  |  SOCIAL HOUR: 11AM + LUNCHEON: 11:45AM - 1:30PM  |  NEW HAVEN LAWN CLUB In the spirit of the Arts Award’s theme of Phenomenal Women, The Bitsie Clark Fund for Artists has been created in honor of the dynamic, transformative former Executive Director of the Arts Council. The Fund, established by five of her proteges - now called the Bitsie Chicks - is designed to strengthen and enrich our community by investing in its artists. The Bitsie Chicks will present its first monetary award to a deserving artist at the Arts Awards luncheon. The Arts Council is grateful to our sponsors: The Community Foundation for Greater New Haven, Metropolitan Interactive, Chamber Insurance Trust, Edgehill Realtors, the Jewish Foundation of Greater New Haven, KeyBank, Neighborhood Music School, Yale-New Haven Hospital, Yale University, and Gateway Community College. Photos of awardees by Lotta Studio