Warren, Mn – Applications are open for nominations for the Northwest Minnesota Arts Council Of the Year Awards. Three awards are given each year to recognize artists and arts advocates within our region who stand out in terms of artistry or volunteerism in the arts. Often people serve in both roles.

Our Arts Advocate of the Year award honors someone who is a voice and advocate for arts within the community, local school, or our region. Arts includes all disciplines. It comes with $500 and often goes to a local leader who lives in the area where the artist reception will be held. However, anyone is eligible to be nominated.

Our Artist of the Year award can be given to any discipline artist including visual, performing, or creative writing who are emerging or at a mid-way point in their artistic endeavors. It is a cash award of $500 to use however they see fit.

Artists can only receive our Northwest Star Award once, as a lifetime achievement award. This award is for $5,000 and can be a wonderful gift to those who have chosen a hard career path related to artistic expression.

Our deadline for nominations is February 28. Please consider nominating someone who you view as a deserving candidate from our seven-county service area in northwestern Minnesota. Persons who believe their nominee would qualify for this award and have questions should contact the Northwest Minnesota Arts Council office at (218) 745-8886 or email director@NWArtsCouncil.org for more information. The nomination form is on our website.

Awards will be presented at the Northwest Minnesota Arts Exhibit reception at the Middle River Legacy Center on Sunday, April 30. Funding for Northwest Star and Northwest Artist of the Year comes from The McKnight Foundation. Funding for Northwest Arts Advocate of the Year comes from the Minnesota State Legislature.