| REPORT: |
Mr. Scott Shiller, Executive Director of the Adrienne Arsht Center of the performing arts, appeared before the Committee to provide an overview and history of the Carbonell Awards. He introduced himself as overseer of the Center’s Programming/Marketing initiatives and President of the Board of Directors for the Carbonell Awards, and shared the following quote by John F. Kennedy (JFK): “I LOOK FORWARD TO AN AMERICA WHICH WILL REWARD ACHIEVEMENT IN THE ARTS… STEADILY RAISE THE STANDARDS OF ARTISTIC ACCOMPLISHMENT…AND STEADILY ENLARGE CULTURAL OPPORTUNITIES FOR ALL OF OUR CITIZENS.” Mr. Shiller said he believed JFK’s dream would be realized by Miami-Dade County (MDC) leading in the Carbonell Awards.
Mr. Shiller noted the Carbonell Award is recognized as one of the nation’s top regional arts awards, among the Tony Award, the Joseph Jefferson Award and the Helen Hayes Award, which it predated. He also noted the Carbonell Award was designed in 1976 by Manuel Carbonell, an internationally renowned sculptor who was born and raised in Cuba, educated in Europe, regarded as one of Cuba’s last Modern Master Sculptors, and now is recognized as one of America’s greatest sculptors.
Mr. Shiller noted, in 1959, Mr. Carbonell fled Cuba’s oppressive regime, leaving behind his wealth, position, sculptures and family, and he arrived in New York City, where he initially took up residency at the Young Men’s Christian Association (YMCA) with only $200 in his pockets. He noted soon after his arrival, Mr. Carbonell began developing his own unique artistic style which culminated in Madison Avenue, the pinnacle of the art world at that time. Mr. Shiller also noted, in 1976, Mr. Carbonell presented his Bicentennial Eagle Sculpture to the White House as a token of his love for his adopted country, and currently, it is displayed at the Gerald Ford Museum as part of the Smithsonian Collection. He further noted that Mr. Carbonell continued to create masterpieces up until his death in 2011 at the age of 93, and many of his sculptures can be seen around the world in museums, galleries and private collections, including one of his most impressive works, a 53 foot monument called “Pillar of History” located on Miami’s Brickell Avenue Bridge.
Mr. Shiller noted Manuel Carbonell loved theatre, music and the performing arts, and when approached by the Theatre Critic Circle, he agreed to design and provide the Carbonell Awards in perpetuity, free of charge, to the Awards Ceremony. Mr. Shiller noted this promise has been honored by his estate to date. He also noted the Carbonell Awards, Inc. has been designated a 501(C)(3) organization, and a new board of directors was recruited in 2009 to stabilize the organization and grow its not-for-profit mission for the 20th century.
Mr. Shiller noted the Carbonell Award can be traced back to 1970, when a regional ‘drama critics’ circle was formed by the Miami Herald, Miami News and Fort Lauderdale News, and later it became a loose drama critics association formed by eight publications out of Miami and Ft. Lauderdale, whose members published annual theatre citations in their respective publications, during years 1972 to 1975. He noted, in March 1976, Jack Zink, an entertainment editor of the Ft. Lauderdale News, founded the South Florida Entertainment Writers Association; In November 1976, nineteen members of the press created the annual ‘theatre critics’ awards to honor their joint best citations, and in 1978, the award was renamed the Carbonell Awards after Manuel Carbonell, the sculptor who designed it.
Mr. Shiller noted the Carbonell Award is an egg-shape sculptor completely made of bronze, set on a marble base, valued over $1,000, and presented annually at the Carbonell Awards Ceremony. He also noted the Carbonell Award is recognized as one of the country’s most prestigious theatre awards, impressive during the 1970s, 80s and 90s and many of its recipients are mentioned in play bill bios of Broadway and on national tours. He said these awards continue to be forged by Miami’s Carbonell Bronze Arts Gallery and donated every year to the Carbonell Awards Organization, which has fostered artistic growth and diversity in South Florida’s theatrical community; provided educational scholarships, built audience appreciation and created civic pride by highlighting the achievements of local theatre artists. He noted each season, volunteer panelists and judges select nominees and recipients from hundreds of eligible productions/shows produced throughout the tri-county area of Miami-Dade, Palm Beach and Broward Counties.
Mr. Shiller said he was happy to report the tremendous success of the Carbonell Awards Inc in South Florida’s theatre community, and said this organiztion was uniquely situated to help support the growing art scene of South Florida, which was thriving in Miami-Dade County. He noted South Florida was blessed with a diverse and dedicated group of theatrical artists and producers, and this year alone, the Adrienne Arsht Center’s Zoetic Stage, Gable Stage, Actor’s Playhouse, Alliance Theatre Lab, and the Emit Ensemble were nominated for Carbonell Awards; other eligible performances continue to take place at the South Dade Performing Arts Center.
In conclusion, Mr. Shiller noted the professional theatre companies of Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach Counties continue their participation in the annual Carbonell Awards Ceremony, celebrating the accomplishments of artistic leaders. He also noted, for more than 39 years, the Carbonell Awards Inc has recognized achievement in the arts, by presenting special awards, like the George Abbott award presented to MDC’s Cultural Arts Director Michael Spring, and scholarships to the next generation of artists and journalists. Mr. Shiller noted this nation was challenged by the remarks of JFK in 1963, and he believed MDC would become one of the greatest performing art regions within the next twenty years, due to the wisdom, hard work and artistic drive of those who created a thriving theatre scene in this community.
Chairman Souto expressed appreciation to Mr. Shiller for a great presentation, and commended Mr. Spring for receiving a Carbonell Award. |
