Massachusetts Artists Leaders Coalition

Artists leaders and artist-run groups addressing policy issues that affect artists in Massachusetts

2019 Champion of Artists Awardee Spotlight: Greg Liakos

As we lead up to 13th Annual “Artists Under The Dome” Event and the MALC 2019 “Champion of Artists” Awards, on Monday, November 18, 2019, at the State House, we are highlighting each of the five “Champion of Artists” awardees. This post is highlighting Greg Liakos, who will be presented with our award given in memory of State Representative Chris Walsh.

Greg Liakos portrait
Greg Liakos

This is the fourth year MALC has presented these awards, which are part of the morning program on November 18. The awards ceremony will begin at 11am in the State House’s Great Hall located on the second floor. This ceremony, along with all the events that are part of the annual Artists Under the Dome event, are free and open to the public. Although it is not required, we are urging people to register for the event.

For more information and to register:
https://www.mass.gov/register-for-the-artists-under-the-dome-event-0

This year’s awardees in alphabetical order:

  • Blair Benjamin – Fiction Writer, Director of MASS MoCA’s Studio Residency Program and Founder & Director of Assets for Artists (A4A)
  • Kay Bourne – Journalist, Editor, and Educator
  • Greg Liakos – Writer, Journalist and former Director of Communications and External Relations for the Mass Cultural Council (This award is given in memory of State Representative Chris Walsh)
  • Abe Rybeck – Playwright, Organizational Consultant, and Founder of The Theater Offensive (TTO)
  • Lisa Simmons – Filmmaker, Director and Curator of the Roxbury Film Festival, and Founder of the Color of Film Collaborative (This award is given in memory of MALC Co-Founder Liora Beer)

This award is given in the memory of the late State Representative Chris Walsh. Chris strongly supported the work of our state arts council, the Massachusetts Cultural Council (MCC). Both MALC and Representative Walsh worked closely with Greg throughout his tenure at the MCC. Recently, Greg moved on to new ventures and MALC will greatly miss his support, kindness and expertise. Greg championed MALC’s work and the policies that supported artists of all disciplines. We wish Greg well in his next chapter and are so proud to honor him with this award in Representative Walsh’s name.

Profile: Greg Liakos

Gregory Liakos served as Director of Communications and External Relations for the Mass Cultural Council from 2004-2019. Mass Cultural Council is a state agency that supports the arts, humanities, and sciences through more than $20 million in annual grants, initiatives, and advocacy. During his tenure public investment in the arts more than doubled and communities across the Commonwealth put culture at the center of revitalization efforts. He was previously head of public relations for the Peabody Essex Museum in Salem, MA, where he directed media, community, and government affairs during its $125 million institutional transformation. He also served two terms on the Wakefield School Committee, including one as Chair. A former award-winning journalist with several Greater Boston publications, he holds a BA from Assumption College and a History MA from Tufts University.