Recognize your community’s arts hero with a Verner Award nomination

COLUMBIA, SC – Recognize South Carolina innovators, supporters and advocates of the arts with a nomination for the Elizabeth O’Neill Verner Governor’s Award for the Arts — the state’s highest arts award! The nomination process is simple — just email, mail or hand deliver a letter of nomination by Nov. 2.

The nomination letter should describe the nominee’s exemplary contributions to the arts in South Carolina and should address any characteristics included in the category descriptions. The letter should answer these questions:

• What makes the nominee superior or extraordinary?
• How has the nominee demonstrated leadership in the arts?
• What exceptional achievements or contributions has the nominee made, and what has been their impact on the community, state or beyond?
• What other information about the nominee is important to know as they are considered for the state’s highest award in the arts?

Note: a nomination letter is different from a support letter. Letters of support are not required as part of the nomination process.

Nominations can be made in the following categories:

• Arts in Education: open to S.C. individuals and/or institutions whose primary function is arts education.
• Organization: open to 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: open to S.C. individuals and/or institutions generally described as a unit of state, local, county or municipal government, or elected/appointed officials.
• Business/Foundation: open to S.C. individuals or companies/foundations whose participation, support, and/or contributions have benefited the maintenance and growth of the arts.
• Individual: open to 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: open to 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 S.C. Arts Commission Board appoints a panel to review all nominations and present recommendations. Awards will be presented during a special ceremony in Columbia this spring.

For complete nomination guidelines, visit www.SouthCarolinaArts.com/verner 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.

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