Genean Award

Press Release:

Do you know an artist or organization from Genesee or Orleans County that deserves recognition for their accomplishments in 2024? GO ART! is inviting community members to submit nominations for the Annual Genean Awards.

“Why “Genean” you ask?” says Executive Director, Gregory Hallock, “Well, simply put, we decided that we needed to have our own unique awards (like the Oscars or Tony awards) for GENesee and OrlEANs counties, to recognize a few of the amazing people and organizations we have within our counties.”

The categories for nomination are as follows: 

Organization of the Year - This award honors a not-for-profit or for-profit organization for its outstanding achievements in 2024

Individual Artist of the Year - This award honors an individual artist in any discipline for their achievements in 2024 or career-long body of work

Arts and Culture Supporter of the Year - This award honors an individual or an organization outside of the arts and cultural sector for their work directly aiding in the arts and/or cultural sector during 2024.

To submit a nomination visit www.goart.org/genean. All nominations are due by March 1.

GO ART! tipped a hat in recognition of the late Lance Anderson’s contributions to the theater arts world with a Lifetime Achievement Award.

The Batavia-based nonprofit honored Anderson during its annual Genean Awards dinner this past weekend.

Anderson, an avid theater buff and longtime member, board member and president of the Lake Plains Players, died in April 2021 due to complications from a stroke. 

He was an active theater performer and director, and he helped to grow the Lake Plains Players and expand the group’s season. Anderson also helped the beginnings of a summer youth program to get going. Anderson expanded the Players’ productions in the summer to include recitals and a children’s theater camp.

Anderson grew up in Orleans County and caught the theater bug in the early 1980s.  He attended Fredonia State College to study voice and became a private vocal teacher while remaining entrenched in the local community theater group Lake Plains Players. 

He was a regularly sought out clinician for master classes and workshops, and he also worked with several other theater groups in the area. 

“Lance instilled a love of theater and singing into so many people and has left a legacy that will carry on, hopefully for generations to come,” said Vocal Music and Arts Teacher Jennifer Neroni-Trupo.

Top photo: The late Lance Anderson doing what he loved during a scene as Charlie Brown. Submitted photos.