The deadline of May 15 deadline is approaching for all nominations of people, businesses, and organizations for the Governor’s Awards for the Arts. The purpose of the awards is to recognize outstanding achievement by artists, arts organizations/businesses, and those who support and encourage the arts in the Commonwealth. This award is only undertaken occasionally by the sitting governor of Virginia, and since the program’s inception in 1979 by then-Governor John Dalton, only two subsequent governors have chosen to make state-wide arts awards. Recognitions have been awarded in 1979, 1985, and 2000.

“Missing this opportunity to nominate individuals for this prestigious award could mean missing bestowing recognition for many years to come,” said Lee Chichester, Floyd County Coordinator. “Even if nominees from this area are not among the final 8 to 10 individuals selected by the jury to receive the Award from Governor Tim Kaine in September, if they make it through the first screening, we will locally recognize each for having achieved nominee status.”

Nominations must be accompanied by a form, available at The Jacksonville Center for the Arts, or online from www.arts.virginia.gov or www.vaforarts.org. Behind the form should be attached one 8.5 x 11 page of a summary of the nominee’s contributions in 12-point type, single-spaced. No more than three pages of other supporting material can be attached. No films, DVDs, prints/slides, or other non-paper materials will be accepted.

Nominations can be made by anyone in the Commonwealth, and must be postmarked or delivered to the Virginia Commission for the Arts no later than May 15 (address/fax is on the nomination form). To be eligible to receive this award, a person, business, or organization must have made significant contribution(s) to the arts in Virginia, and may be native Virginians living elsewhere, or must be currently living in the Commonwealth (no posthumous nominations will be accepted). Businesses, organizations, or educational institutions must currently operate in the state. Past recipients of the Governor’s Award are not eligible.

For more information or to pick up a form, go online to the Web addresses above, or contact Lee Chichester at the Jacksonville Center for the Arts, 540.745.2784; lee@jacksonvillecenter.org. The Center’s hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday; 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, and 12 to 5 p.m. Sunday.