South Carolina Arts Commission invites award nominations

COLUMBIA, SC – October 26, 2012 – The public is invited to honor South Carolinians who have enriched the arts by submitting nominations to two awards programs, the Elizabeth O’Neill Verner Governor’s Awards and the Jean Laney Harris Folk Heritage Awards. Nomination guidelines and forms are available online. The nomination deadline for both awards is Dec. 17.

The Elizabeth O’Neill Verner Governor’s Awards, the state’s highest honor in the arts, are presented to S.C. businesses, organizations and individuals for achievement or contributions to the advancement of the arts. Nominations can be made in the following categories:

• Arts in Education: S.C. individuals and/or institutions whose primary function is arts education.
• Organization: S.C. organizations who contribute to the advancement and/or support of the arts. May include: arts discipline organizations, arts councils, arts advocacy groups, guilds, arts departments of organizations, educational institutions, etc.
• Government: S.C. individuals and/or institutions generally described as a unit of state, local, county or municipal government, or elected/appointed officials.
• Business/Foundation: S.C. individuals or companies/foundations whose participation, support, and/or contributions have benefited the maintenance and growth of the arts.
• Individual: S.C. individuals who have demonstrated exceptional achievement and statewide impact through their leadership, support, and advancement of the arts. May include: arts professionals such as managers, administrators; arts supporters such as patrons, promoters, donors, etc.
• Individual Artist: S.C. artists of exceptional talent and creativity, in any discipline, whose contribution to the arts has helped guide and influence directions, trends and aesthetic practices across the state or to national or international levels.

The Jean Laney Harris Folk Heritage Awards are presented annually by the S.C. General Assembly to practitioners and advocates of traditional arts significant to communities throughout the state. Nominations are accepted in two categories:

• Artists: South Carolina artists who practice art forms that have been passed down through their families and communities and who have demonstrated a commitment to keeping their tradition alive. Past awards have recognized art forms such as basket making, gospel singing, fiddling, pottery and boat building.
• Advocates: South Carolina individuals and groups that have worked to further traditional culture in the state. Those who are not traditional artists, but who have provided service that helps to sustain and promote South Carolina traditions, are eligible for the advocacy award.

The Jean Laney Harris Folk Heritage Awards are managed jointly by the S.C. Arts Commission and the University of South Carolina’s McKissick Museum.

Presentations of both awards will take place at the Statehouse in the spring.

For more information or to submit a nomination, visit www.SouthCarolinaArts.com, or call (803) 734-8696.

About the South Carolina Arts Commission:
The South Carolina Arts Commission is the state agency charged with creating a thriving arts environment that benefits all South Carolinians, regardless of their location or circumstances. Created by the South Carolina General Assembly in 1967, the Arts Commission works to increase public participation in the arts by providing services, grants and leadership initiatives in three areas: arts education, community arts development and artist development. Headquartered in Columbia, S.C., the Arts Commission is funded by the state of South Carolina, by the federal government through the National Endowment for the Arts and other sources. For more information, visit www.SouthCarolinaArts.com or call (803) 734-8696.