West Virginia Division of Culture and History seeks nominations for Governor’s Arts Awards Presentations to be made at March 7 Governor’s Arts Awards Event

 News…

CHARLESTON, W.Va. – The West Virginia Division of Culture and History (WVDCH) is seeking nominations for the Governor’s Arts Awards. This biennial awards program celebrates the best of the Mountain State by recognizing artists, art educators, arts organizations and businesses whose contributions to the state’s arts community provide vital examples of how important the arts are to the state and its residents.

Nominations for the 11 award categories will be accepted at the West Virginia Division of Culture and History until 5 p.m. on Feb. 21. Awards will be presented at a ceremony at the Culture Center, State Capitol Complex, on Wednesday, March 7, at 6 p.m.

“The Governor’s Arts Awards celebrate excellence in the arts in West Virginia,” said Randall Reid-Smith, WVDCH Commissioner. “The awards focus attention on the importance of arts to individual and economic development in the Mountain State by honoring individuals and organizations whose creative achievements and significant contributions to the arts enhance life in West Virginia.”

Nominees must be residents living in West Virginia and organizations based in or doing a majority of business in the state. Nomination forms are available online at http://www.wvculture.org/arts/artsindex.aspx or by calling (304) 558-0240.

Award categories are:

• Susan S. Landis Distinguished Service to the Arts – Individual
• Susan S. Landis Distinguished Service to the Arts – Organization
• Artist of the Year
• Arts Organization of the Year
• Arts in Education – Individual
• Arts in Education – Organization
• Arts Patron – Individual
• Arts Patron – Organization
• Leadership in the Arts – Individual
• Leadership in the Arts – Organization
• Governor’s Arts Award for Lifetime Achievement

Descriptions for each of the award categories are included with the nomination form. The form also includes information of eligibility, nomination criteria and the selection process.

The West Virginia Division of Culture and History is an agency within the Office of Secretary of Education and the Arts with Gayle Manchin, 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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