COLUMBIA, S.C. –The South Carolina Arts Commission and the University of South Carolina's McKissick Museum are accepting nominations for the 2009 Jean Laney Harris Folk Heritage Award, which honors distinguished practitioners and passionate advocates of the state's diverse cultural traditions. Visit the Folk Heritage Awards nominations page for nomination forms and instructions. The deadline is Jan. 30.
Nominees should be South Carolina artists who practice art forms that have been passed down through their families and communities or citizens who actively promote the state’s cultural heritage. Candidates will be evaluated on the authenticity of their tradition, as well as on their efforts to enrich their communities and enhance their tradition to a higher level of artistic achievement.
The award is presented annually by the South Carolina General Assembly to as many as four individuals or groups for artistry and to one individual or group for advocacy. Named for the late Jean Laney Harris, an ardent supporter of the South Carolina's cultural heritage, the Folk Heritage Award was created by the legislature in 1987 to recognize lifetime achievement in the folk arts.
Past awards have recognized art forms such as basket making, gospel singing, pottery making and boat building. The 2008 Jean Laney Harris Folk Heritage Award was presented to Will Goins of Columbia for Native American Traditions and to Richard "Chip" Chipman of Moncks Corner for Bluegrass Music Advocacy.
For more information about the nomination process, visit the Folk Heritage Awards nominations page or call Julianne Carroll at 803/ 734-8764.
About SCAC:
The South Carolina Arts Commission is the state agency charged with creating a thriving arts environment that benefits all South Carolinians, regardless of their location or circumstances. Created by the South Carolina General Assembly in 1967, the Arts Commission is working to increase public participation in the arts by providing services, grants and leadership initiatives in three areas: arts education, community arts development and artist development. Headquartered in Columbia, S.C., the Arts Commission is funded by the state of South Carolina and by the federal government through the National Endowment for the Arts. For more information, visit www.SouthCarolinaArts.com or call (803) 734-8696.
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