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The organization received more than 150 nominations for the initiative that will recognize 50 artists during its 50th anniversary year in 2015. The call for nominations was released in late summer and, despite the robust response, ArtsWestchester received additional inquiries after the original deadline. For that reason, ArtsWestchester is extending the deadline for nominations until Friday, Oct. 31.
In this initiative, 50 outstanding creative artists in Westchester County will be honored for their talent. This is a chance for members of the community to give much deserved recognition to someone who has created a body of recent work as a painter, composer, writer, choreographer or film maker.
“The ‘50 for 50’ awards shine a spotlight on some of the exceptional artists that make Westchester a creative, vibrant place to live and work,” said Janet Langsam, chief executive officer of ArtsWestchester. “We firmly believe that working artists are the lifeblood of the creative community and we want to celebrate their talent, passion and work. We invite the community in Westchester and beyond to nominate candidates for this honor.”
Artists in any discipline who create work are eligible, including composers, choreographers, filmmakers, writers, visual artists. Nominees must also: live or maintain a studio in Westchester or have close and continuing affiliations with Westchester-based cultural organizations or educational institutions, as evidenced by frequent local exhibitions, commissions, performances, or readings; have produced a significant body of work over the past three years; have recently been recognized locally, regionally or nationally in one or more of the following ways: included in catalogs, major collections, gallery and museum exhibitions; work that has been published, recorded or performed; work that has been reviewed in significant national or regional discipline-based journals, magazines and newspapers.
“Over the last 50 years, ArtsWestchester has worked with thousands of artists,” Langsam added. “As part of our 50th anniversary, we thought it was fitting to solicit nominations from the community. It offers a chance for the public to actively participate in our celebration and help us recognize some of today’s most accomplished Westchester artists.”
Nominees may be emerging or mid-career artists or those who have reached a level of life-time achievement. However, all nominees must be active in their fields. After all nominations are collected, ArtsWestchester will review the nominations and contact eligible nominees directly to request work samples and other support material. An independent panel will make the final selection of honorees.
Winners will be announced in early 2015. Not only will the 50 artists get publicly recognized, they will receive a $1,000 award. Additionally, a selection of the winners will have the opportunity to be featured in Beyond NYC: A Festival of New Work in Westchester, the signature program of ArtsWestchester’s 50th anniversary year scheduled for spring 2015.
Nominees can be nominated more than once, but only need one nomination to be considered. Self-nominations will not be accepted. The deadline for nominations is Friday, Oct. 31. For more information and to upload a nomination form, visit www.artswestchester.org/50th-anniversary.
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