LOUISVILLE, KY, SEPTEMBER 23, 2016 – Fund for the Arts and Stoll Keenon Ogden PLLC presented Bill Blodgett with the 2016 James Welch Sr. Arts Leadership Award at Kentucky Opera's performance of "Madame Butterfly" on Friday evening. Presented annually, the award recognizes the substantial impact to the arts made by an individual through significant volunteer commitment and exemplary leadership in the community.

Mr. Blodgett currently serves as the Kentucky Opera board president and previously served as board president of both Actors Theatre of Louisville and the Kentucky College of Art and Design in which he led both organizations through significant growth and development. Following the tragic passing of Kentucky Opera General Director David Roth, Mr. Blodgett stepped in to serve as Acting General Director of the Kentucky Opera, providing effective and inspiring leadership for the organization and a steadying presence for the arts community.

"Fund for the Arts is honored to recognize Mr. Blodgett for his lasting impact on our dynamic and diverse arts community," said Christen Boone, Fund for the Arts President & CEO. "We are immensely grateful for his leadership which has and will continue to transform our arts and cultural landscape."

Fund for the Arts and SKO created the award in honor of James Welch Sr., a founding member of Stoll Keenon Ogden's legacy law firm, who quietly provided strong guidance and support to the Louisville arts for decades.

 "Stoll Keenon Ogden PLLC is proud to join Fund for the Arts in congratulating Bill Blodgett for his tireless commitment to enhancing our community through the arts," said Kendrick Riggs, vice chair of SKO. "Bill's visionary leadership embodies the James Welch Sr. Arts Leadership Award by strengthening the arts in Louisville today and into the future."

Previous recipients include:

2015- Marlene Grissom, director of special projects, Waterfront Development                         Corporation

2014 – Carl M. Thomas, executive director, Gheens Foundation, Inc.

2013 – Nana Lampton, CEO, Hardscuffle Inc.

2012 – Todd Lowe, president and founder, Parthenon LLC

2011 – Morton Boyd, chairman emeritus, Gheens Foundation, Inc.

2010 – Tom Noland, Senior VP of Corporate Communications, Humana Inc.

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