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Mobile County Commissioner Merceria Ludgood received the prestigious, national, 2024 Public Leadership in the Arts Award for County Arts Leadership from the National Association of Counties (NACo) and Americans for the Arts (AFTA).
The award was presented to her twice at the NACo annual conference in Tampa, Florida, where she was formally recognized by the NACo Commission on Arts & Culture, Americans for the Arts, and the National Association of Counties.
The Mobile County Commission proudly supports the arts in Mobile County because, according to Americans for the Arts, investing in the arts as a public good can significantly boost local economies, enhance community well-being, and increase civic engagement, as evidenced by studies showing that cultural activities generate substantial economic returns and foster social cohesion.
In the award presentations, Commissioner Ludgood was commended for her conscientious efforts to share Mobile County’s diverse history through arts, entertainment, information, and experiences because those efforts are making an impact in the lives of residents by building a foundation of cultural assets for our community as well as for culture and heritage tourism.
While the award presenters publicly lauded her recent work in Africatown, including Clotilda: The Exhibition at Africatown Heritage House, Africatown Hall's dramatic exterior, and impacts on that community anchored by Mobile County Commission investments, the selection committee noted her longstanding commitments to the arts in all forms. In addition to annual Mobile County Commission appropriations, Commissioner Ludgood’s support for the arts includes programs for artists in residence, music education, performing arts, festivals, exhibitions, and activities through multiple museums and exhibition spaces.
In her acceptance speeches, Commissioner Ludgood thanked the awarding organizations, nominators, and expressed appreciation for her many collaborators, her commission colleagues, and the Mobile County team. Her guiding principles were evident in her acceptance remarks, which touted the arts’ ability to help people feel understood and to encourage perspective-taking through creative storytelling that encourages empathy and is interwoven with hope.
The local arts community participated in Ludgood’s nomination. Some comments from the nomination packet include:
“The arts are a cornerstone of our community, fostering creativity, enhancing the quality of life, and promoting economic development. Commissioner Ludgood’s commitment to supporting local artists, art programs, and cultural events has been instrumental in nurturing a thriving arts scene that benefits residents and visitors alike. From public art installations to community theater performances, the initiatives she has backed or spearheaded have significantly contributed to making our county a more dynamic and engaging place to live,” said Angela B. Montgomery, Executive Director of the Mobile Arts Council.
“Commissioner Ludgood has consistently shown incredible vision and makes deep investments in supporting the cultural producers and emerging talent here in this community, and she knows the power of art to change the world for the better,” said elizabet elliott, Executive Director of the Alabama Contemporary Arts Center.
“Commissioner Ludgood has worked tirelessly for many years to support our four museum sites – History Museum of Mobile, Colonial Fort Condé, Phoenix Fire Museum, and Clotilda: The Exhibition at Africatown Heritage House – helping to bring Mobile’s past to life for tens of thousands of visitors each year. Her significant financial support and leadership have been instrumental in creating opportunities for members of our community to engage meaningfully with Mobile’s proud history,” said Jon Sexton, Director of the History Museum of Mobile.