Mayor's Arts Awards The 23rd Annual Mayor's Arts Awards Gala will be held at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts on Monday, March 17, 2008 at 6 pm.  The Mayor's Arts Awards are the most prestigious honors conferred by the city on individual artists, organizations and patrons of the arts. The evening will feature award presentations and entertainment by the finest talents in the District. For more information, please contact Lisa Richards at (202) 724-5613. The Mayor's Arts Awards are free and open to the public. Reservations are recommended, although seating is first come first served. Email your RSVP to artsawards@dc.gov or call (202) 724-5613. Awards are presented in the following categories: Area Description Excellence in an Artistic Discipline An individual artist or an organization that has demonstrated a substantial history of extraordinary achievement in an artistic discipline Outstanding Emerging Artist A promising individual artist or group of artists that have demonstrated artistic excellence and achieved distinction in an artistic discipline Excellence in Service to the Arts An individual or a private, public, or government organization that has demonstrated a substantial history of exemplary leadership, financial support, or other services vital to the development of the arts in the District of Columbia Outstanding Contribution to Arts Education An individual or organization that has demonstrated outstanding efforts to evoke interest and understanding of the arts Innovation in the Arts An individual or organization that has demonstrated ingenious use of skills or resources to produce art, art programs, or services