ArtServe Michigan Honors Filmmaker Michael Moore with 2011 Arts Legacy Award

ArtServe Michigan Honors Filmmaker Michael Moore

with 2011 Arts Legacy Award

WIXOM, Mich. – ArtServe Michigan, Michigan’s only statewide nonprofit arts-advocacy organization, has selected Oscar-winning filmmaker Michael Moore as the recipient of the organization’s 2011 Arts Legacy Award. Moore will be presented with the honor as part of a special awards event during the Traverse City Film Festival at the State Theatre on Saturday, July 30, 2011.

Founder and President of the State Theatre and Traverse City Film Festival, Moore is being recognized for his contributions as a filmmaker, author and advocate for arts and culture and his leadership in art house theater restoration initiatives in Michigan.

“Michael Moore’s dedication to Michigan arts is unmistakable,” said Jennifer Goulet, president of ArtServe Michigan. “Michael’s depth as a writer and filmmaker, passion for the Michigan film industry and dedication to restoration of Michigan’s art house theaters are just a few of the many reasons we selected him to receive this year’s Arts Legacy Award.”

Moore’s nonprofit Traverse City Film Festival and its art house, the State Theatre, have brought millions of dollars to the Traverse City area since 2005. His statewide State Theatre Project is assisting other Michigan communities in renovating, reopening and reviving their own art house theaters, funded by State of Michigan tax incentive rebate funds from the Michigan production of "Capitalism: A Love Story."

In July 2010, Moore was elected to the Board of Governors for the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences and was appointed by Governor Granholm in 2008 to the Michigan Film Advisory Committee.

ArtServe Michigan’s Arts Legacy Awards were introduced in 2009 for special presentation to individuals or organizations significantly contributing to the support and empowerment of arts, culture and arts education in Michigan.

In November 2009, these awards were first presented to Michigan’s auto industry leaders – Chrysler, Ford Motor Company and General Motors – for their significant and lasting contributions to strengthen and sustain arts and cultural initiatives in Michigan. ArtServe’s 2010 award was presented to Rick DeVos for his vision and commitment to the ArtPrize initiative in Grand Rapids.

The award sculpture was created through a partnership of The Henry Ford whose glass artisans crafted its glass spheres and former Michigan artist Garry Venable who crafted its wood base. The award design was originally commissioned by the Masco Corporation Foundation and created by Grand Rapids artist Nathan Goddard for ArtServe’s 2007 Governor’s Awards for Arts & Culture.

Michael Moore is the Oscar-winning filmmaker of "Bowling for Columbine," "Roger & Me," "Fahrenheit 9/11," "Sicko," and "Capitalism: A Love Story." He won the Emmy Award for his NBC show, "TV Nation." He won the British Book of the Year award for his political humor book, "Stupid White Men" (which spent more than a year on the New York Times best seller list) and has written five other New York Times best selling books. Four of the eight top grossing documentaries of all time are Michael Moore films.

Tickets for the Traverse City Film Festival awards at the State Theatre start at $25. For more information visit traversecityfilmfest.org or call 231-922-8901.

About ArtServe Michigan

ArtServe Michigan is a statewide nonprofit advocacy organization dedicated to cultivating the creative potential of Michigan’s arts and cultural sector to enhance the public health and well-being of Michigan, its people and communities. ArtServe advocates for arts, culture and arts education in Michigan; provides leadership and professional development for arts and cultural organizations and artists; and connects arts and cultural leaders and supporters through strategic communications. Contact ArtServe Michigan at 248-912-0760 or visit ArtServeMichigan.org.