Chris Appleton recognized with National Emerging Leader Award

• COURTESY WONDERROOT
• Chris Appleton

Americans for the Arts, the national arts nonprofit, has recognized WonderRoot executive director Chris Appleton with the 2014 Emerging Leaders Award. Since 2006, the award has been awarded for "visionary leadership by an individual who is a new and/or young arts leader who demonstrates an ability to engage and impact his or her community." Appleton co-founded WonderRoot less than a decade ago and has since built the grassroots organization into one of Atlanta's most prominent community arts organizations.

In a statement released this morning, President and CEO of Americans for the Arts Robert Lynch said, "Our Local Arts Leadership Awards honorees have distinguished themselves as leaders in innovation, education, management and advocacy for the arts in communities across the country. They are driven by both a passion for their work and a deep belief in the power of the arts to transform individual lives and communities. We want to ensure we recognize their priceless contributions toward strengthening the arts in America."

When asked by CL about the award, Appleton said, "I'm incredibly honored to be recognized in this way. Really, I think it's a testament to, not only the good work that WonderRoot is doing, but the progress that Atlanta's arts community has made over the past several years. It's evidence of Atlanta's growth as a home and destination for cultural production in the South."

The award will be presented at Americans for the Arts annual convention in June.