Macon theater pioneer among those honored for increasing Georgia’s ‘cultural vitality’

A Macon theater pioneer, along with nine others throughout Georgia, are being honored for “their contributions to the cultural vitality and prosperity of our state,” Gov. Nathan Deal said in a news release.

Jim Crisp, the recently retired founding artistic director of Theatre Macon, was among those selected for the 2018 Governor’s Awards for the Arts and Humanities.

Recipients were announced Oct. 9 in partnership with the Georgia Council for the Arts and Georgia Humanities. This is the seventh year the awards have been given out.

The recipients represent both individuals and organizations that have contributed to the growth of Georgia’s creative industries. They have done this by promoting community involvement, financial support and founding key programs in their communities, according to the release.

Other winners include: Athens Cine, Friends of Historic Jekyll Island, Historic Oakland Foundation, Morehouse College Martin Luther King Jr. Collection, National Black Arts Festival, Pearl Cleage, Janice Faircloth, Azira Hill and Ellen Thompson. 

“Today, our state’s creative industries provide some 200,000 jobs for Georgians and generate $62.5 billion in economic impact,” Deal said in the release.