Wenatchee resident Matt Cadman received a Governor’s Art Award for arts advocacy last night in Olympia and 12th District Sen. Brad Hawkins, who nominated him for the honor, introduced him at the awards night.
The presentation took place during the 2019 Governor’s Arts and Heritage Awards dinner at the Washington Center for the Performing Arts.
“I am so humbled and flattered to be receiving this award,” said Cadman, who recently retired as the Numerica Performing Arts Center’s executive director. “In my six years directing the Numerica PAC, we transitioned from being a traditional theater into becoming a community center and redefined what it could be: a center where art connects and serves the people who call the Wenatchee Valley home. During my tenure, I was committed to developing a strong community-centered focus and creating thriving programs that redefined the theater’s mission to serve the greater community.”
One of the community-centered programs that Cadman helped initiate is “Every Kid at the PAC.” Since its inception in 2015, over 12,000 students have experienced a theater program at the Numerica PAC.
“Matt’s enthusiasm for the arts and his desire to make it accessible to all is unmatched,” said Hawkins. “Thanks to his efforts, an entire generation of children in our community are now building their future with a personal connection to our local performing arts. That is not only inspirational, it’s transformational.”
(Note: The photo above shows Rufus Woods, Matt Cadman and Sen. Hawkins.)