Dahl Wins Governor's Award for the Arts

Bolz Center alumnus Dan Dahl has been honored with a 2003 Governor's Award for the Arts in Ohio, recognizing his leadership and advocacy in Akron, Ohio. Dahl serves as Executive Director of Edwin J. Thomas Performing Arts Hall and the Akron Civic Theatre, and has been an innovative leader in integrating arts activities into community, business, and civic development.

The description of Dan and his work provided by the awards announcement helps set his achievements in context:

"Dan Dahl is a man with extraordinary vision and an active voice in the community that he regularly uses to advocate for the arts as a tool for economic development. Dahl has been described as the 'Energizer Bunny' of Akron. As director of E.J. Thomas Performing Arts Hall and the Akron Civic Theatre, two of Akron's largest arts institutions, he has to be. His work with E.J. Thomas Hall and the Akron Civic Theatre has taken both organizations far beyond expectations. Under Dahl's leadership, attendance at the two facilities doubled from 1991 to 2001. More than $30 million has been invested in the theatres in that same period of time. This includes a $22 million restoration and expansion project at the Akron Civic Theatre which has played a crucial role in the downtown Akron revitalization plan.

"Throughout his tenure, he has been a leader in the arts community, forging close alliances with local arts organizatoins, leading a community-wide planning process dealing with a major arts development project, helping to found First Night Akron and serving as president of the Akron Area Arts Alliance. With his entrepreneurial sprit and innovative thinking, Dahl has helped make Akron and Northeast Ohio a desirable place to work, live and be entertained. Dan Dahl is a man that makes things happen and the arts community, the loical economy, and the revitalization of downtown Akron are all beneficiaries of his talents."

Dahl will receive his award during a special celebration on March 12, 2003. More information on the awards is available on the Ohio Arts Council web site.