News…

The West Virginia Division of Culture and History and the West Virginia Commission on the Arts continue to accept nominations for the 2012 Governor’s Arts Awards. All West Virginians are encouraged to nominate individual artists, organizations and communities in five categories of awards. The deadline for nominations is Feb. 22.

The award categories are Arts in Education Award to recognize efforts to strengthen arts education in West Virginia public schools and the overall impact on arts education in West Virginia; Distinguished Service to the Arts Award to recognize individuals and/or organizations of exceptional talent and creativity that have contributed to the arts and fostered growth, and influenced trends and aesthetic practices on a state and national level; Leadership in the Arts Award to recognize individuals and/or organizations that have demonstrated exceptional leadership and access to the arts throughout West Virginia; Artist of the Year to recognize an individual artist who has impacted the exposure to the arts in West Virginia through his/her work; and the Governor’s Arts Award for Lifetime Achievement for significant accomplishments in the arts for an individual or organization.

A ceremony and gala to present the awards will be held on Wednesday, March 8 at the Culture Center, State Capitol Complex in Charleston.

For more information, or to request a nomination form, contact Rose McDonough, cultural facilities and accessibility coordinator for the arts section of the Division, at (304) 558-0240, ext. 152, e-mail rose.a.mcdonough@wv.gov, or visit our website at www.wvculture.org.

The West Virginia Division of Culture and History is an agency within the West Virginia Department of Education and the Arts with Kay Goodwin, Cabinet Secretary. The Division, led by Commissioner Randall Reid-Smith, brings together the past, present and future through programs and services focusing on archives and history, arts, historic preservation and museums. For more information about the Division’s programs, events and sites, visit www.wvculture.org. The Division of Culture and History is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer.

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