Nominations sought for Annual Arts Awards Nominations are now being accepted for the 2009 Annual Arts Awards presented by the North Valley Arts Council (NoVAC) to honor the artists, arts organizations and businesses that have demonstrated extraordinary commitment to the regional arts community. Nominations are accepted in three categories: • Artist of the Year: honoring a regional artist who has demonstrated extraordinary achievements in his or her artistic field. The recipient is presented with a $1,000 stipend, underwritten by the Grand Forks Herald. • Individual Support of the Arts: honoring an individual who has shown extraordinary commitment to the regional arts community through volunteerism, leadership, financial contributions or other support. • Corporate Support of the Arts: honoring a regional business that has demonstrated extraordinary commitment to the arts community through sponsorship, volunteerism or other support. The Annual Arts Awards are presented at An Evening with the Arts, an annual celebration of the arts community. The event will feature the awards presentation and “The Grand Picture,” a silent auction of artwork made by artists who have rarely exhibited their work. An Evening with the Arts takes place Tuesday, Jan. 27, from 5 to 8 p.m. Please submit nominations by Friday, Dec. 5. Nominations can be made online at www.novac.org, or submitted in writing to info@novac.org or PO Box 12204, Grand Forks, ND 58208. Nomination information should include your name as the nominator, the name and contact information of the nominee, the award for which you are nominating, and a brief description of the nominee’s leadership qualities, artistic background, community involvement and other relevant information. The North Valley Arts Council supports arts and culture for the artists, arts organizations and citizens of Greater Grand Forks. -- Nicole Derenne, Executive Director, North Valley Arts Council, nicolederenne@novac.org, 777-6120