Hecky’s Barbecue has been chosen as the 2011 recipient of the Evanston Arts & Business Committee Leadership Award.
The annual award acknowledges Evanston businesses and organizations that have provided leadership in arts and cultural support, either financially or through in-kind services, or both. The award will be presented at the Mayor’s State of the City Address and Award for the Arts Luncheon on Friday, March 2.
The Arts & Business Committee, a subcommittee of the Evanston Arts Council, encourages businesses of all sizes to support the arts in whatever way they can. “We are excited to have several strong nominations and are proud to be recognizing Hecky’s Barbecue this year,” said Lara Allison, co-chair of the Arts & Business Committee.
Hecky’s has provided support to several Evanston arts-related events and organizations, including Fleetwood-Jourdain Theatre, The Actors Gymnasium, Evanston Township High School Jazz Band, and Youth and Senior Theatre Ensemble Project (YSTEP).
Tim Rhoze, artistic director of Fleetwood-Jourdain Theatre and member of the Arts & Business Committee, has witnessed first-hand the many generous meals that Hecky’s has provided for student-related arts events.
Hecky Powell, owner of Hecky’s Barbecue, says he supports the arts in Evanston “because they don’t always get the funding they need” and “it is just the right thing to do.”