Governor's Arts Awards coming

The Nevada Arts Council and the Office of the Governor invite nominations for the 27th annual Governor's Arts Award to recognize those Nevadans who add to our quality of life today and ensure a strong cultural legacy for future generations.

Nominees and nominators must be current Nevada residents or organizations/businesses that work in and for the benefit of Nevada. Previous recipients of a Governor's Art Award and current Nevada Arts Council staff, board, contractors or their immediate families are not eligible. Nomination packets must be postmarked no later Sept. 30.

To celebrate the Nevada Arts Council's 40th Anniversary in 2007, the NAC Board has updated and expanded the categories for Governor's Arts Awards. Nominations for the 27th Annual Governor's Arts Awards will be accepted for:

n Excellence in the Arts: Artists and arts-producing organizations whose work has achieved a level of excellence and have made a significant impact in their community and/or the state.

n Excellence in Folk Arts: Artists or organizations recognized as significant tradition-bearers or elders who continue to create, preserve and /or teach traditional arts forms, elevating the quality of the art and its vitality within the associated cultural community.

n Leadership in Arts Education: Schools, individuals, organizations or businesses that have made significant contributions through leadership, creativity and partnership building to advance arts education in Nevada's schools and communities.

n Leadership in the Arts - Organizations: Nonprofit arts organization for exceptional artistic achievement, outstanding programming or specific leadership initiatives that have stimulated excellence, growth and support and/or availability of the arts in Nevada.

n Leadership in the Arts - Individuals: Individuals, paid or volunteer, working in the arts that have demonstrated long-term leadership resulting in significant contributions to the arts in their community and/or state.

n Patronage in the Arts: Individuals or businesses that have sustained and enhanced the arts in their community and/or state, through contributions of time, effort or financial resources.

The GAA awards ceremony will return to Nightingale Hall on the University of Nevada Reno campus, March 22.

The Nevada Arts Council was founded in 1967 as a state agency charged with developing and promoting the arts in Nevada. Statewide programs include Artist Service, Arts in Education, Community Arts Development, Folklife and Grants. Agency funds designated to support the work of Nevada artists and arts organizations come from the National Endowments for the Arts, a federal agency and from the Nevada State Legislature.

For guidelines and nomination packets or more information visit the Department's Web site at www.NevadaCulture.org or contact the Nevada Arts Council in Carson City at 687-6680 or Las Vegas at 486-3700.