Governor’s Arts Awards open for nominations

LITTLE ROCK — The Arkansas Arts Council is accepting nominations for the 2020 Governor’s Arts Awards. The deadline to nominate a recipient is Sept. 6.

“Each year, we honor the people who are behind making our creative economy thrive,” said Patrick Ralston, director of the Arts Council. “These are the arts supporters, patrons and artists who have helped to build and strengthen arts communities across our state.”

The annual awards program recognizes individuals, organizations and businesses for their outstanding contributions to the arts in Arkansas. Recipients are nominated by the public, then selected by an independent panel of arts professionals.

Nominations are open in the following categories: Arts Community Development, Arts in Education, Corporate Sponsorship of the Arts, Folklife, Individual Artist, Patron and Lifetime Achievement awards. The recipients will be honored at a ceremony in the spring.

“We have been recognizing Arkansans who have made significant contributions to the arts in our state for about 30 years,” said Stacy Hurst, secretary of the Department of Parks, Heritage and Tourism and director of the Division of Arkansas Heritage. “Our artists and art supporters are an integral part of the cultural heritage of Arkansas and are fundamental for improving and sustaining our creative economy and quality of life.”

To make a nomination or for more information, visit the Arkansas Arts Council’s website at arkansasarts.org or contact Cheri Leffew at cheri.