FRANKFORT, Ky. – The Kentucky Arts Council is currently accepting nominations until September 1, 2006, for the 2006 Governor’s Awards in the Arts, the state’s highest honor in the arts recognizing individuals and organizations making outstanding contributions in Kentucky through the arts.  Any individuals, organizations or businesses may make nominations.

The nine award categories — Artist, Business, Community Arts, Education, Folk Heritage, Government, Media, Milner and National — recognize the broad range of support the arts enjoy in Kentucky.

To be eligible to receive the award, candidates must be a Kentucky resident, organization, business, media outlet, school or government agency, with the exception of the National Award, bestowed upon a Kentucky native son or daughter  who has achieved national or international acclaim in the arts.

Governor Ernie Fletcher will honor the 2006 award recipients at a special public ceremony and reception in the Capitol Rotunda in Frankfort in early 2007.

“The Governor’s Awards in the Arts celebrate the value of the arts in Kentucky and help recognize the outstanding contributions and achievements in the arts of Kentuckians,” says Lori Meadows, Executive Director of the Kentucky Arts Council.  “The Arts Council is celebrating our 40th anniversary this year, along with the National Endowment for the Arts.  The Governor’s Awards honorees often demonstrate the importance of our history of public support for the arts and how the arts can create vibrant communities and bring positive change to people’s lives.”

To gain access to the guidelines, instructions and nomination forms, go to http://artscouncil.ky.gov/guide/prog1/ga_gdl.html.  Paper nomination forms are also available upon request at 1-888-833-2787.

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The Kentucky Arts Council is a state agency in the Commerce Cabinet that invests in programs that develop vibrant communities, provide lifelong education in the arts and support arts participation.  Every $1 in grant funds awarded by the Kentucky Arts Council helps grantees secure $15 in earned income and matching funds from individuals, philanthropic sources and other levels of government. Kentucky Arts Council funding is provided by the Kentucky State Legislature and the National Endowment for the Arts, a federal agency, which believes that a great nation deserves great art.