The West Virginia Commission on the Arts of the West Virginia Department of Arts, Culture and History (WVDCH) is soliciting nominations for the 2005 Governor’s
Arts Awards. All West Virginians are encouraged to nominate individual artists,
organizations and communities for seven categories of awards to be presented
at a ceremony on Monday, April 4, 2005, at the Cultural Center in the State
Capitol Complex in Charleston.
“The arts in West Virginia provide both human and economic development
for communities and individuals all over the state,” said Troy Body, WVDCH
commissioner. “Artists and arts organizations have earned public and official
respect. By honoring their invaluable contributions with these awards, we are
celebrating the arts as a magnet for talent and business in West Virginia.”
Jeanne Mozier, chairman of the Governor’s Arts Awards committee, outlined
the process that will determine who will be honored. “All those who will
be recognized at the Governor’s Arts Awards will come from nominations
made by the public. The nominations will be reviewed and rated by an objective
process conducted by more than a dozen people both in and out of the state,”
said Mozier. “We need all parts of the arts community to help by making
nominations. Your choice cannot be selected if you don’t make the nomination,”
she added.
The award categories are:
• Distinguished Arts Award for lifetime achievement in the arts
• Arts Patron Award for individual or organizational contributions of
time, effort or financial resources to the arts
• Arts in Education or Service to Youth Award for individual or organizational
achievements
• Creative Community Spirit Award for a city, town or community non-arts
organization using the arts for community development or betterment
• Arts Leadership and Service Award for visionary individual or arts organization
leadership and service in the arts
• Artistic Excellence Award for significant contributions to the arts
in West Virginia by either an established or emerging artist
• Arts Innovator Award for an individual, group, organization or educator
who has successfully executed innovative methods of involving the public in
arts experiences
For more information or to request a nomination form, see the Division’s
website at www.wvculture.org or contact Debbie Rainey Haught at (304) 558-0240
or debbie.r.haught@wv.gov. The deadline for nominations is January 14,
2005.
The West Virginia Department of Arts, Culture and History, an agency of the West Virginia
Department of Arts, Culture and History, brings together the state’s past,
present and future through programs and services in the areas of archives and
history, the arts, historic preservation and museums. The Department of Arts, Culture and History is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer.
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