artistic director named waa honoree
Martin Wollesen, Director of the University Events Office and Artistic Director of ArtPower! at UC San Diego was honored by the Western Arts Alliance (WAA) with the 2009 Betty Connors Award, granted in recognition of outstanding volunteer service to the Western Arts Alliance and the performing arts in the West. In presenting the prestigious award, Wollesen was recognized for his work in re-vitalizing the Mentor/New Colleague program and his commitment to supporting young colleague involvement in the arts field as well as engaging young audiences in the performing arts. Wollesen was also recognized for innovative approaches to programming, citing the internationally recognized Innovator-in-Residence Project and The Loft, a performance lounge and wine bar, the only venue of its kind on a university campus.
Western Arts Alliance (WAA) is a membership service association of touring and performing arts professionals engaged in promoting and presenting performing arts throughout the western states and provinces, providing professional development for artists, managers and performing arts presenters. Betty Connors, led the Committee for Arts and Lectures (later, Cal Performances) at the University of California, Berkeley, for 35 years and co-founded the the Western Arts Alliance (WAA) in 1967.