Office of Cultural Affairs Recognizes Its 8th Annual Emerging Artist Award Recipient

The City of Atlanta Office of Cultural Affairs is pleased to announce the recipient of this year’s Emerging Artist Award. The 2008 Emerging Artist Award recognizes and rewards a rising professional artist of notable talent and demonstrated ability in Dance.

Atlanta artist, Molly Schneider Perez is recognized for her artistic vision, commitment, and leadership within the Atlanta arts community. In addition to the monetary award, the Office of Cultural Affairs provides the artist with performance space for a public presentation of her work. For the first time this year, the artist will receive a two week Artist Residency at the Hambidge Center in Rabun Gap, Georgia. A brief award ceremony and performance will take place at The Beam, 750 Glenwood Avenue, on Thursday, June 26 from 7:00-9:00 p.m.

"We are so pleased that Atlanta artist Molly Schneider Perez was selected to receive the 2008 award in the area of Dance. Her artistic vision as well as her commitment and contributions to the Atlanta dance community are commendable and deserving of this year’s Emerging Artist Award," states Camille Russell Love, Director of the Office of Cultural Affairs.

Molly Schneider Perez is a dancer, educator, and choreographer. Perez joined CORE Performance Company in 2006 as an associate and became a full company member in 2007. Molly is the Dynamic X-Change Healing Arts Coordinator and Touring Coordinator for Several Dancers Core. This summer she will be teaching a three class series with Zoetic Dance Ensemble. She holds a B.F.A. from Ohio University’s Honors College and an M.F.A. from the University of Michigan as a Rackham Merit Fellow. Molly is an advocate for animals and works part time during the summer for ZOO Atlanta.