Arts Council of Princeton founder lauded for community service
By: Hilary Parker
At a festival celebrating the arts, it was perfectly fitting that Anne Reeves the founder of The Arts Council of Princeton in 1967 who directed it until her retirement in 2005 was awarded the 10th annual Leslie "Bud" Vivian Award for Community Service by the Princeton Area Community Foundation at the opening ceremonies of Saturday’s Communiversity celebration.
Named after the much-loved former Princeton University director of community affairs, the award is bestowed upon a community leader who is actively committed to the town of Princeton, much as Mr. Vivian was during his tenure at the university.
"Anne Reeves has done so much to make Princeton better and better each day," said U.S. Rep. Rush Holt (D-12), who presented the award along with PACF board member Christine Lokhammer and Tom Huntington, one of the founders of the Vivian Award.
Described in her nomination as a "compassionate, self-motivated activist with a vision that our community of great diversity can be brought together through the arts," Ms. Reeves continues to further her vision, choosing to donate the $1,850 Vivian Award honorarium to The Arts Council of Princeton Anne Reeves Artist-In-Residence Studio.
Taking the stage, Ms. Reeves offered thanks to Mr. Vivian and a number of people who have been instrumental in helping her grow the arts in Princeton. Thanking musicians, dancers and artists of all types above all, Ms. Reeves then kicked off Communiversity 2006.
"Let the good times roll," she said, and with a clash of symbols and the bang of a drum, the Princeton University Marching Band took it from there.