FRANKFORT, Ky. – On Wednesday, February 14, 2007 at 10:00 a.m., Governor Ernie Fletcher and First Lady Glenna Fletcher will present the 2006 Governor’s Awards in the Arts at a public ceremony in the Capitol Rotunda in Frankfort.  The Kentucky Arts Council has produced a website with downloadable print-quality photos, biographical sketches and contact information for each of the nine recipients of the Governor’s Awards in the Arts, the state’s highest honor in the arts.  The direct link to the Governor’s Awards in the Arts web newsroom is http://www.artscouncil.ky.gov/06govaward/recips.htm.

The Governor’s Awards in the Arts recipients are selected annually in nine different categories.  The 2006 recipients are Patricia Neal (born in Packard, Whitley County, Kentucky), National Award; J. Alexander Speer, Goshen, Milner Award; LaVon Van Williams, Jr., Lexington, Artist Award; Jewish Hospital & St. Mary’s HealthCare, Metropolitan Louisville, Business Award; Kentucky Book Fair, Frankfort, Community Arts Award; The Russell Orchestra, Russell, Education Award; Lewis Lamb and Donna Lamb, Lancaster, Folk Heritage Award; Pike County Extension for Fine Arts, Pike County, Government Award; and Morehead State Public Radio, WMKY-FM, WOCS-FM, Morehead, Media Award.

The Governor’s Awards in the Arts honor the outstanding contributions and achievements in the arts of Kentucky individuals, organizations and businesses. The Kentucky Arts Council administers the selection process.  Nominations are annually solicited from the public, reviewed by a selection committee and presented to the Governor for final approval.  Nominations for the 2007 awards will be accepted in September 2007.  For more information about the Kentucky Arts Council, go to www.artscouncil,ky.gov. 

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The Kentucky Arts Council is a state agency in the Commerce Cabinet that icreates opportunities for Kentuckians through the arts.  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.