ArtsPartners of Central Illinois, Inc. is now accepting nominations for the 2014 ArtsPartner of the Year Award.  This award is designed to recognize exemplary support and service to the local arts which has ultimately resulted in a stronger and more vital cultural arts environment in the Peoria area.

We will announce the 2014 ArtsPartner of the Year winner at our Annual Meeting on Wednesday, October 15 at The Waterhouse.

When nominating a candidate, consider the length and breadth of involvement in the arts as well as the impact the candidate’s actions has had on local arts here in the Peoria area. We are looking for candidates who have demonstrated outstanding efforts in the areas of advocacy, education, professional service, volunteer service, or funding of the arts. The nominee does not have to be an artist. The nominee can be an entity, such as a corporation or municipal body.

Send your nomination letter along with three (3) additional letters of support via email to admin@artspartners.net by Friday, September 26. Please include the following information with your submission:

• Your nominee’s name
• Organization(s) or program(s) the nominee has served
• Number of years your nominee has been involved in the arts
• Fully describe the role your nominee has played in support of the arts
• Your nominee’s most important contribution to the arts

Be sure to also include the following with your submission:

• Your name
• Mailing address
• Phone number
• Email address

Past winners of the award are Jim Maloof (2001); Jim Thrush (2002); Arts Alive! Magazine published by Central Illinois Business Publishers (2003); WTVP-47 (2004); The Peoria Park District (2005); Sally Page of Lakeview Museum (2006); Nita Sunderland (2007); Dr. George and Norma Kottemann (2008); Illinois Central College Department of Arts & Communication and Kathy Chitwood of Eastlight Theatre (2009); Vic Burnett (2010); Jeffrey Huberman (2011); Doug and Eileen Leunig (2012); Bob and Joan Ericksen (2013).

The mission of ArtsPartners of Central Illinois is to increase the vitality of arts and culture in the area.  ArtsPartners was founded in 1999 as a non-profit organization funded in part by the dedication of 2.5% of the collected restaurant tax, through a cooperative agreement between the City of Peoria and the Peoria Civic Center Authority.  Operational funds are also received from the Illinois Arts Council, an agency of the State of Illinois.  For a complete calendar of upcoming arts events, visit the ArtsPartners website at www.artspartners.net.