Andrews to receive prestigious US National Arts Award

Published Monday 6 October 2008 at 12:40 by Judd Hollander

Actress Dame Julie Andrews will be among six recipients of the prestigious 2008 National Arts Awards in the US, recognising those who “exhibit exemplary national leadership and whose work demonstrates extraordinary artistic achievement”.

The accolades, which recognise both organisations and individuals, will be presented at a gala dinner this evening Monday) in New York City.

In addition Andrews, who will receive a Lifetime Achievement Award, the other winners this year are Joan W Harris (Frederick R Weisman Award for Philanthropy in the Arts), Yoko Ono (Kitty Carlisle Award for Outstanding Contribution to the Arts), Phil Ramone (Arts Advocacy Award), Kehinde Wiley (Young Artist Award for Artistic Excellence), and J Barry Griswell of the Principal Financial Group (Corporate Citizenship in the Arts Award).

According to a spokesman for the awards: “Dame Andrews is being honoured for her profound contributions to both music and acting and for serving as a great role model and mentor for all aspiring artists. She is a champion of the literary arts and a dedicated advocate for childhood literacy. Dame Andrews is a treasured member of the arts community and a source of great national and international pride. The Lifetime Achievement Award is presented to a nationally recognised, established artist with a history of exemplary artistic accomplishment in his or her field.”

The British actress made her Broadway debut in the 1954 musical The Boy Friend. Her Broadway appearances include My Fair Lady (1958), Camelot (1960), and Victor/Victoria (1995). She also appeared in Putting It Together in 1993, an Off-Broadway musical revue of the songs of Stephen Sondheim.

Andrews received a Theatre World Award for Best Broadway Newcomer for her work in The Boy Friend and garnered Tony Award nominations for her roles in Camelot, My Fair Lady and Victor/Victoria. On film, she won the Academy Award for her role Mary Poppins and received Oscar nominations for her work in The Sound of Music and Victor/Victoria.

Past winners of the National Arts Award include Edward Albee, Mikhail Baryshnikov, Leonard Bernstein, Aretha Franklin, Martha Graham, Kitty Carlisle Hart, Helen Hayes, Wynton Marsalis, Natalie Portman, Beverly Sills, Isaac Stern, Paul Taylor and Uma Thurman. The Awards were first given out in 1996.