2019 Champion of Artists Awardee Spotlight: Lisa Simmons
As we lead up to 13th Annual “Artists Under The Dome” Event and the MALC 2019 “Champion of Artists” Awards on November 18, 2019, at the State House, we are highlighting each of the five “Champion of Artists” awardees. This post is highlighting Lisa Simmons. This particular award is given in the memory of MALC Co-founder, Liora Beer.
This is the fourth time MALC has given these awards, which will be part of the morning program. The award ceremony will begin at 11:00am in the State House’s Great Hall, located on the second floor. The 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: http://www.artistsunderthedome.org/annualevent.htm
This year’s awardees in alphabetical order:
- Blair Benjamin – Fiction Writer, Director of MassMoCA’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)
MALC is a big fan of Lisa Simmons and all the work she has done to support her fellow artists in the film and performing arts community. Lisa established a needed “creative space” for artists of color to share their work on an international level. This is no easy task to do and to sustain. The MALC Steering Committee knew how highly Liora Beer thought of Lisa and her work. Liora was a big fan of the Roxbury International Film Festival.
Like Liora, Lisa saw a need and filled it and often at the expense of her own creative studio time. MALC wants to shine the spotlight on Lisa for all the good she has done and will continue do for the film and performing arts community and beyond. MALC is honored to give Lisa this award in Liora’s memory. We think Liora would be so pleased that we are honoring her.
Profile: Lisa Simmons
Lisa Simmons is the Director and Curator of the Roxbury International Film Festival (RoxFilm), now in its 22nd year, and Founder of the Color of Film Collaborative, whose mission it is to support filmmakers, and present films and film programs that celebrate people of color around the world. In addition, Lisa is a Program Manager with the Community Initiative at the Mass Cultural Council. She has produced theater and film in the Boston area, published and presented on the Negro Theater Project of the WPA, and is working on a documentary about the Boston Negro Theatre Unit. Lisa is the recipient of several awards, including the GK100 2018: Boston’s 100 most Influential People of Color Award, a Leadership Award from the Urban League Guild of Eastern Massachusetts, and The President’s Award for Leadership from Dimock Community Health Center.