Art in Action has won the Peninsula’s Diamond Award for the Arts Organization of the Year.

The honor recognizes outstanding contributions made by individual artists, educators, volunteers, foundations, corporations, or by government support to the arts in San Mateo County.

"The arts are vital because they teach such skills as critical thinking, creativity and cultural understanding,” said Judy Sleeth, Executive Director of Art in Action.

Over the last 30 years, Art in Action has grown from a small local nonprofit to a nationwide organization reaching nearly 40,000 students, igniting student creativity by teaching skills and art history.

The 10th Diamond Awards will be presented at Kohl Mansion in Burlingame on Feb. 2. For more information about the event or the Diamond Awards visit the Peninsula Arts Council website.

More information is available at ArtInAction.org.

-- Staff report