Nominations open for Oroville arts award

OROVILLE >> Your Voice for the Arts Award, which recognizes individuals and organizations that positively impact the Oroville community with their passion, innovation and commitment to the arts is open for nominations.

“This award is great way to bring recognition to those who encourage art in a positive way in the community,” said Dawn Nevers, Oroville assistant community development director. “Young or old, art is for everybody.”

Any community member or organization may be nominated. Areas of artistic involvement include, but are not limited to patron of the arts; community outreach through art by an organization or individual; and, significant artistic achievements by an individual that inspires others to become involved in or support the arts culture of the community.

Public nominations for the award, sponsored by the Oroville Arts Commission in collaboration with the Oroville City Council, are being accepted now through noon, March 3. Nomination applications are available at city hall, 1735 Montgomery St.

Applications will be reviewed and considered by the Arts Commission on March 14. The commission will select finalists for recommendation to the city council based on the breadth and depth of the nominee’s community impact as well as the quality of work being done by the nominee. The Oroville City Council will vote on the recommended nominees at its regular April 4 meeting. The award will be handed out to recipients at the next State of the City address in April.

“Recipients receive an award and there’s also a plaque at city hall in the council chambers foyer that has name plates of the winners,” said Nevers.

The Your Voice for the Arts Award was established in 2018 with the first call for nominations going out in 2019. The first recipients of the award were the State Theatre Arts Guild and James Christensen. The Exchange Club and Rex Burris have also received the honor, according to Nevers.

While the award was put on hiatus for a couple of years due to the pandemic, Nevers said the arts commission and city council are excited to be hosting it once again this year.

“It’s just a great way to honor and recognize those who have made strides to bring arts to the community,” Nevers said.