New England Public Radio Seeks Nominations for the 2012 Arts & Humanities Award

[December 2, 2011--Amherst, MA] New England Public Radio (88.5FM WFCR and AM640/91.7FM all-news WNNZ) is accepting nominations for the 2012 New England Public Radio Arts & Humanities Award. The award was established in 2008 to recognize those who have made a positive impact on the arts and humanities, and to bring awareness to the critical role played by musicians, artists, dancers, writers, teachers and cultural institutions in western New England. The award will be given in three categories: Outstanding Organization, Outstanding Individual and Emerging Talent. 

"The Arts & Humanities Award is now in its fourth year and we are excited to see it continue to grow," said General Manager, Martin Miller. "The community nominated over 60 individuals and institutions last year, and we're hoping for even greater interest this year."

Members of the WFCR Foundation, Inc. will review all nominations and select a recipient in each category in early January. Recipients will be celebrated at a special dinner and award ceremony on May 1, 2012 at the Log Cabin in Holyoke. Tickets to the gala, which will also serve as the wrap party to the station's year-long celebration of WFCR's 50th year, will go on sale in February 2012. 

The recipients of the 2011 Award included the Charter Oak Cultural Center of Hartford, CT (Outstanding Organization), composer and musician Peter Blanchette and founder of the Drama Studio, Steve Hays (Outstanding Individuals), and children's musician and educator, Aric Bieganek (Emerging Talent).

"Receiving this award has been a powerfully motivating experience for me as an artist," says last year's recipient of the award for Outstanding Individual, Peter Blanchette. "The affirmation of my work, and its connection to my local audience gave me a renewed commitment to make the best work I can, and to do it right here in our beautiful Pioneer Valley."

The community is invited to submit nominations for the New England Public Radio Arts & Humanities Award using the form available at nepr.net. All nominations must be received by January 9, 2012.