Atlanta Contemporary Art Center has given its 2018 Nexus Award to Kenny Blank, executive director of the Atlanta Jewish Film Festival.
The award, according to an Art Center statement, publicly acknowledges individuals, groups or organizations that make significant contributions to the contemporary arts landscape and are instrumental in making Atlanta an exceptionally vibrant arts community.
When the AJFF began in 2000, it took place in four theaters over 10 days. Today, the festival holds year-round events; its most recent showcase — over 23 days in January and February — featured more than 190 screenings at seven venues and attracted more than 36,000 moviegoers interested in features, shorts, documentaries and biographies. All explore the Jewish experience, culture and history, life in Israel, and the work of Jewish artists through film and cinematography.
Blank will be celebrated Aug. 25 as part of the Contemporary’s annual Art Party, featuring art, music, food and drink. The party supports daily free admission at the Art Center and celebrates contemporary art in Atlanta. Advance general admission is $45. Host committee admission is $175-$200 for young professionals and $250-$1,000 for others. Details HERE.
Previous Nexus Award winners include the marketing platform MailChimp; Larry Walker of Georgia State University; Michael Rooks of the High Museum of Art; Susan Bridges of Whitespace Gallery; photographer, collector and arts patron Lucinda Bunnen; Lisa Cremin of the Metropolitan Arts Fund of the Community Foundation for Greater Atlanta; Louis Corrigan of Flux Projects and Possible Futures; Andrea Barnwell Brownlee of Spelman College; and writer/critic/poet Jerry Cullum.
