The Tennessee Arts Commission is receiving nominations for the 2013 Governor’s Arts Awards. The Governor’s Arts Awards were established in 1971 to recognize individuals and organizations that have made significant contributions to the cultural life of Tennessee. The awards are Tennessee’s highest honor in the arts, celebrating the outstanding contributions of artists, arts organizations, volunteers, schools, educators, local governments, legislators and corporate citizens on the state and national level. The 2013 awards will be presented in Nashville during a special ceremony at Conservation Hall, located near the Executive Residence, in the spring of 2013.
“The awards provide an opportunity to recognize the state’s rich cultural heritage, and reward creative excellence in the arts,” says Anne Pope, executive director of the Commission. “The honored recipients represent the best of Tennessee, with selection based on their extraordinary contributions. Their influence often extends well beyond the state, making an impact across the country and even internationally.” There are three award categories:
The Folklife Heritage Award is presented to folk artists or organizations that have made outstanding contributions to artistic tradition. The award honors significant achievements within art forms that are rooted in the traditional or ethnic culture of Tennessee.
The Arts Leadership Award is presented to arts organizations, businesses, educators, patrons, arts administrators, corporations, and volunteers that have demonstrated significant support or participation in activities on a statewide basis that advances the value of the arts in Tennessee.
The Distinguished Artist Award is presented to Tennessee artists of exceptional talent and creativity in any discipline that over the course of a career have contributed to the arts and influenced directions, trends, and aesthetic practices on a state and national level.
The nomination form is available on the Commission’s website (www.tn.gov/arts/artsawards). The form should be completed online, printed and returned to the Tennessee Arts Commission with no less than three, but no more than five letters of support for each nominee. Nominations may be submitted by organizations or individuals. Nomination forms and letters of support must be received by the Tennessee Arts Commission no later than 4:30 p.m. (CST) on February 1, 2013.
For more information on the nomination process, contact Hal Partlow at 615/532-9801 or e-mail: hal.partlow@tn.gov. For accessibility requests, including alternate digital formats, captioning, ASL, and assistive technologies, contact 504 Coordinator William Coleman at 615/532-9797 or e-mail: William.coleman@tn.gov.