Date:

February 2, 2009

For More Information Contact:

Diane Gonzolas, Citizen Information Center, 441-7831

Deb Weber, Lincoln Arts Council, 434-2787

The Lincoln Arts Council (LAC) has announced that two new awards will be presented at the annual Mayor's Arts Awards ceremony in June. The new awards for emerging artists in the visual arts and in writing are being sponsored by the Richard P. Kimmel and Laurine Kimmel Charitable Foundation. In addition to the Mayor's Arts Award, recipients will receive a stipend of $1000 and a two-week residency at the Kimmel Harding Nelson Center for the Arts, an artists residency program located in Nebraska City.

Nominations and self-nominations must be postmarked no later than March 1, 2009. More information is available at www.khncenterforthearts.org or by e-mailing LAC at trisha@artscene.org.

The mission of the Kimmel Harding Nelson Center for the Arts is to support established and emerging writers, visual artists and composers by providing working and living environments that allow uninterrupted time for work, reflection and creative growth and to present and support arts-related programming that expands public awareness and appreciation of the arts.

In addition to living and studio spaces for artists, the Center houses a gallery featuring the work of regional visual artists. The Center is funded through the support of the Richard P. Kimmel and Laurine Kimmel Charitable Foundation.

Union Bank and Trust Company is again the presenting sponsor for the 31st annual Mayor's Arts Awards. Nominations are due by February 23, 2009 in the following categories:

• The Arts Organization Award recognizes an arts group that has made significant contributions to Lincoln's arts community over a period of years. (Sponsored by Runza)
• The Artistic Achievement Award - Visual Arts recognizes excellence and accomplishment in any of the visual arts. (Sponsored by Bob and Marilyn Harris)
• The Artistic Achievement Award - Youth recognizes excellence and accomplishment in any arts discipline by a young person age 18 or younger. (Sponsored by Lucy Buntain Comine)
• The Artistic Achievement Award - Performing Arts recognizes excellence and accomplishment in any of the performing arts. (Sponsored by Farmers Mutual Insurance Company of Nebraska)
• The Gladys Lux Education Award recognizes special initiatives or dedication to arts education. (Sponsored by the Gladys Lux Foundation)
• The Heart of the Arts Award recognizes an individual or organization for outstanding volunteer dedication to the arts or for making a major overall impact on the arts in Lincoln. (Sponsored by Talent Plus)
• The Halcyon Allsman Benefactor of the Arts Award honors an individual, family, organization or business making significant financial contributions to the arts in Lincoln. (Sponsored by Wells Fargo Bank)
• The Oliva "Arts for Kids" Award honors an individual from outside of the arts professions whose leadership has enhanced arts activities and experiences for children. (Sponsored by the Oliva Family)
• The Literary Heritage Award recognizes a writer or individual who promotes excellence in writing and literature in Nebraska. (Sponsored by the Nebraska Literary Heritage Association)
• The Larry Enersen Award recognizes outstanding urban design in Lincoln. (Sponsored by Clark Enersen Partners)
• The Mayor's Choice Award is sponsored by Cline, Williams, Wright, Johnson and Oldfather, L.L.P.

Nomination forms are available by calling the LAC at 434-2787or printing a form from the LAC Web site: www.artscene.org. A list of previous winners also is available at that Web site.