NEWS RELEASE
For Immediate Release
May 4, 2009
FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT:
Ann Dee Lee
Public Information Director
Oklahoma Arts Council
(405) 521-2931
anndee@arts.ok.gov
OKLAHOMA ARTS COUNCIL SEEKS NOMINATIONS FOR GOVERNOR’S ARTS AWARDS
Oklahoma City, OK –The Oklahoma Arts Council announced today that nominations for the 2009 Governor’s Arts Awards will be accepted through August 6th.
“The 34th Annual Governor’s Arts Awards is an opportunity to celebrate Oklahoma arts and the people that facilitate its success,” said Executive Director Suzanne Tate. “During my travels, I’ve seen many examples across this state of how individuals, businesses, government leaders and organizations have worked to harness arts and cultural development to create economic opportunity, provide a high quality of community life and ignite the creative potential of Oklahoma’s youth.”
Tate encouraged Oklahomans to nominate citizens and organizations that have contributed to the arts in their communities or throughout the state. The Oklahoma Arts Council has managed the Governor’s Arts Awards program since 1975.
The Governor’s Arts Award Categories are:
Governor’s Award - recognizes individuals for longtime leadership and significant contributions to the arts across Oklahoma.
Business in the Arts Award - recognizes businesses/corporations who exhibit outstanding support of the arts in Oklahoma. This award was created in memory of Earl Sneed, prominent arts advocate.
Media in the Arts Award - recognizes an individual member in the media who demonstrates commitment to the arts in Oklahoma documented through public awareness support and fairness, initiative, creativity and professionalism in reporting. This award was created in memory of Bill Crawford, veteran professional journalist.
Arts & Education Award - recognizes an individual, organization, school, educator or group for their outstanding leadership and service in the arts benefitting youth and/or arts in education.
Community Service Award - recognizes individuals for significant contributions to the arts in specific Oklahoma communities in the areas of leadership and volunteerism.
George Nigh Public Service in the Arts Award - recognizes an Oklahoma government official for outstanding support of the arts.
Nominees must be current residents of the State of Oklahoma and living in Oklahoma full time, or organizations/businesses that work in and for the benefit of Oklahoma. Previous recipients of the Governor’s Award are not eligible. Recipients will be selected by members of the Governor’s Arts Award Selection Committee from the applications submitted by the August 6th deadline. Members of the selection committee are members of the Governor-appointed Oklahoma Arts Council as well as past recipients of the Governor’s Award. The committee reserves the right to consider nominations in categories other than the category designated by the nominator.
Nomination forms are available online at www.arts.ok.gov or by contacting the Oklahoma Arts Council at (405) 521-2931. Please contact Public Information Director Ann Dee Lee for more information.
ABOUT THE OKLAHOMA ARTS COUNCIL
The Oklahoma Arts Council is a state agency whose mission is to improve lives through the arts by promoting and sustaining the development of a thriving arts environment, which is essential to quality of life, education and economic vitality for all Oklahomans.
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