Arts council seeks nominations

Chester — The Orange County Arts Council is seeking nominations for the presentation of its annual awards to recognize living individuals, organizations and corporations which have made outstanding contributions to the arts in the community. The deadline for submission is Sept. 16. Recipients may include individual artists, arts patrons, volunteers, non-profit cultural organizations, and corporate patrons. Nominations should be based on artistic excellence, sustained contributions, unusual achievement, perseverance, and a deep commitment to the arts and the community. Recipients will be chosen by a selection committee appointed by the arts council. Submissions are reviewed by the Arts Awards Selection Panel according to outlined criteria. Panel members agree to subscribe to a Code of Ethics with specific regard to confidentiality and conflict-of-interest issues. Panelists affiliated in any way with a nominated individual are asked to excuse themselves from review of the specific submission involved. The awards, supported by Orange County Executive, Edward A. Diana and the Orange County Legislature, will be presented at an evening event on Nov. 12. Categories of awards include: Individual Artist, Arts Organization, Champion of the Arts (Individual or Family), Champion of the Arts (Corporate), Champion for People with Disabilities, Architectural (public or private within the past three years) Arts in Education, Youth with Exceptional Promise Artist Award and Lifetime Achievement. For an application, guidelines or more information, call the arts council at 469-9160.