Somehow, we’re not the least bit surprised that Gov. Mike Pence and the Indiana Arts Commission chose the Center for the Performing Arts as the host site for the 2013 Governor’s Arts Awards this fall. In our minds, it comes down to this: Tania Castroverde Moskalenko, the Center’s president and chief executive officer, has – yes, again – made good on her promise to bring a wide variety of events to the campus.

We’ve come to expect that. Her leadership is at once thoughtful and decisive. She is relentless in pursuit of presenting acts and events that will resonate in the Central Indiana arts community, if not beyond. She is passionate about her role in helping to shape the future of the performing arts for this region, and last week’s joint announcement by Pence and the IAC was proof that her efforts again have borne fruit.

“The Palladium stage is the perfect place for Indiana’s best and brightest, having become a landmark of excellence through the presentation of artists from all over the world,” she stated last week. According to the IAC, the awards recognize excellence in artistic achievement, philanthropy, arts education, and leadership in the arts, and at the same time build statewide awareness of the important role the arts play in Indiana.

As for the Center and the year ahead, we hear a Palladium schedule is being rounded out and will be rolled out sometime in the next month. While we have no particulars, our understanding is that the lineup – covering country, pop, classical and jazz music – is going to be considered the best yet. Fitting, isn’t it, considering Moskalenko’s ambition for excellence in all areas, programming included?