Date:

January 11, 2007

For More Information Contact:

Diane Gonzolas, Citizen Information Center, 441-7831

Deb Weber, Lincoln Arts Council, 434-2787

Nominations are now being accepted for the 29th annual Mayor’s Arts Awards. The awards will be presented by the Lincoln Arts Council (LAC) the evening of Wednesday, June 6, 2007 at the Lied Center for Performing Arts.

The Mayor’s Arts Awards program formally recognizes artistic contributions and achievements in the Lincoln area. Those wishing to nominate a project, organization or person may request a nomination form by calling the LAC at 434-2787 or print a form from the LAC Web site: www.artscene.org. A list of previous winners is also available at that Web site. The nomination deadline is February 16, 2007.

The award categories are:

• The Oliva “Arts for Kids” Award honors an individual from outside of the arts professions whose leadership has enhanced arts activities and experiences for children.
• The Artistic Achievement Award - Performing Arts recognizes excellence and accomplishment in any of the performing arts.
• The Artistic Achievement Award - Visual Arts recognizes excellence and accomplishment in any of the visual arts.
• The Artistic Achievement Award - Youth recognizes excellence and accomplishment in any arts discipline by a young person age 18 or younger.
• The Halcyon Allsman Benefactor of the Arts Award honors an individual, family, organization or business making significant financial contributions to the arts in Lincoln.
• The Arts Organization Award recognizes an arts group that has made significant contributions to Lincoln’s arts community over a period of years.
• The Leadership Award recognizes an individual or organization for making a major overall impact on the arts in Lincoln.
• The Cultural Celebration Award recognizes artistic work that has fostered an appreciation of a specific culture or cultures through the arts.
• The Literary Heritage Award recognizes a writer or individual who promotes excellence in writing and literature in Nebraska.
• The Larry Enersen Award recognizes outstanding urban design in Lincoln.
• The Heart of the Arts Award recognizes outstanding volunteer efforts on behalf of the arts.
• The Event of the Year Award recognizes a performance, exhibition, event or project in 2006 that will be notable in the community memory for years to come.
• The Gladys Lux Education Award recognizes special initiatives or dedication to arts education.

A Mayor’s Choice Award will also be presented.

The year’s award will be created by bead artist Marcia Laging-Cummings, who won the 2006 Mayor’s Arts Award for Artistic Achievement - Visual Arts.

The public also is encouraged to submit names of members of the Lincoln arts community who have died since the last awards ceremony in June 2006 for memorial recognition at the event.