AIHA Director and Curator Receive Awards

Christine Miles, Director of the Albany Institute of History & Art and Wesley G. Balla, Curator of History at the Albany Institute, have received awards for their dedication to the arts and scholarship. The Board of Directors of the Albany – Schenectady League of Arts awarded Ms. Miles the Capital Region Arts Award for 2000 while the Albany Masonic Temple awarded Mr. Balla the DeWitt Clinton Ward for Community Service.

The Albany – Schenectady League of Arts chose to honor Ms. Miles for her long-term dedication to the arts and culture in the Capital Region. She has been director of the Albany Institute since 1986, and since that time she has been the guiding force behind the successful Heritage Campaign, which resulted in the Albany Institute’s construction and renovation project that will be completed in 2001.  In addition to her role at the Albany Institute, Ms. Miles has devoted her career to the arts and culture by serving on many community boards and committees including the Museum Association of New York, the Gallery Association of New York, WMHT-Channel 17, Capitalize Albany Executive Committee, and the Albany Arts Commission. 

Mr. Balla was nominated in honor of his interpretation of the origins and meaning of the Anti-Rent Movement in the history of eastern New York. His research and writing is infused with the idea that all people, the great and not so great, are important participants in shaping history and that the lessons of people and events in history help us better understand our own place in the world.  Mr. Balla was also the guest speaker that evening on the topic of “Republican Culture and the Anti-Rent Movement.” 

According to Mark H. Baumbach, Master, Wadsworth Lodge, “The DeWitt Clinton Award is the first and only award of its kind to be presented by the Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons of the State of New York since its formation in 1781.  The award recognizes distinguished or outstanding community service by non-Masonic organizations or individuals whose actions exemplify a shared concern for the well-being of Mankind and a belief in the worldwide brotherhood of Man…DeWitt Clinton’s name and the meaning of the words “public service” are said to be synonymous.  His dedication and devotion to service in the public interest, both as a member of the Fraternity and a citizen of the state and nation, evoke that comparison.

Mr. Balla has been Curator of History at the Albany Institute since 1991.  As part of the staff of the Albany Institute, he as demonstrated his great knowledge and love for community history with projects including the popular exhibitions City Neighbors: A Community Album; City Neighbors: The Irish Experience in Albany, Erastus Corning and Politics in Albany.  The Capital Comes to Albany: A Bicentennial Exhibition, BANK ON IT! Bank Buildings of Albany, and Milestones of the Millennium:  Picturing Twentieth Century Albany.