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Who do you want to nominate for a Governor’s Arts Award?

By Suzanne Lynch, Director of Marketing and Development –

The 2017 Governor’s Arts Awards are now OPEN for nominations. Application deadline is July 22, 2016.

The Governor’s Arts Awards were established in 1971 to recognize individuals and organizations that have made significant contributions to the arts or cultural life of Tennessee. These biennial 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 or national level.

“The awards provide an opportunity to recognize the state’s rich cultural heritage, and reward creative excellence in the arts,” said Anne B. 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:

FOLKLIFE HERITAGE AWARD
Presented to folk artists or organizations that have made outstanding contributions to Tennessee’s traditional arts. The award honors significant achievements within art forms that are rooted in the traditional or ethnic cultures of Tennessee.

ARTS LEADERSHIP AWARD
Presented to individuals or organizations who have demonstrated significant contributions which have impacted or advanced the value of the arts in Tennessee. Examples of recipients include: arts organizations, businesses, educators, patrons, arts administrators, corporations and volunteers.

DISTINGUISHED ARTIST AWARD
Presented to Tennessee artists of exceptional talent and creativity in any discipline whose work has significant and lasting impact on a state or national level.

All nominations must include a narrative detailing the nominee’s contribution to the arts in a specific award category and why the individual, organization, community or business merits consideration for a Governor’s Arts Award. Also, nominations must include at least three but no more than five current letters of support for each nomination. Support letters should provide the selection committee important testimonies and additional information about your nominee. Letters may be written by colleagues, board members, community leaders, educators, etc.

To nominate an individual or organization, first read the nomination process and complete the online form. If you would rather mail a hard copy, download the .pdf found on the nomination process page, complete and mail with the additional required materials.

Recipients are selected by an inter board committee of the Tennessee Arts Commission comprised of the Commission’s board members and representatives from the Governor’s and First Lady’s offices. 2017 Award recipients will be notified by the Tennessee Arts Commission in the Fall of 2016.

For more information about the nomination or selection process, please contact Suzanne Lynch at 615-741-1704.