JACKSON, MISS. – June 7, 2018 – The Mississippi Arts Commission is now accepting nominations for the 2019 Governor’s Arts Awards, an annual ceremony that recognizes individuals and organizations who have made noteworthy contributions to the arts in the state of Mississippi. The awards are presented in partnership with the Governor’s Office and signify the important relationship between government and the arts. This year, in an effort to simplify the process, award nominations may be submitted entirely online via MAC’s website arts.ms.gov. The deadline to submit nominations for the 2019 Governor’s Arts Awards is August 1, 2018.

“Any member of the public can nominate an artist or an organization for this prestigious award, and we hope our new nomination process will encourage more arts enthusiasts to participate,” said Malcolm White, executive director of MAC. “The Governor’s Arts Awards celebrates the best of the best in terms of outstanding artistic work and patronage. The bar is set high with past awardees such as John Grisham, B.B. King, Thalia Mara, the Craftsman’s Guild of Mississippi and Malaco Records.”

Award winners are nominated by members of the public and selected by a jury of community arts leaders and industry peers. Schools, businesses, organizations, arts initiatives and events are eligible to receive Governor’s Arts Awards, in addition to individual artists and supporters of the arts. Awardees are recognized for outstanding work in visual, literary and performing arts, community development through the arts and arts patronage. Recipients are not required to be Mississippi residents, but they must have significant ties to the state through some years of residency.

Visit https://arts.ms.gov/programs/governors-arts-awards/ to submit an application and learn more about this annual celebration of the arts. Please contact Anna Ehrgott, MAC communications director with any questions regarding the nomination process.

Contact:  Anna Ehrgott | Communications Director | aehrgott@arts.ms.gov | (601) 359-6546