The Kentucky Arts Council is accepting nominations for the 2012 Governor’s Awards in the Arts. The awards, which will be presented at a public ceremony in October 2012, are the state’s highest honor in the arts, recognizing individuals and organizations with extraordinary achievements and contributions in the arts.

The nine award categories (Artist, Business, Community Arts, Education, Folk Heritage, Government, Media, Milner and National) recognize the broad range of support the arts enjoy in Kentucky. Any individual, organization or business may make nominations.

Nomination forms are online at http://artscouncil.ky.gov/Opportunities/GovAwards.htm. The Kentucky Arts Council welcomes all questions regarding this program. For more information, contact Dan Strauss at dan.strauss@ky.gov or 888-833-2787, ext. 474.

The presentation of the 2011 Governor’s Awards will be Oct. 20 at 10 a.m. EDT in the Capitol Rotunda. The event is free and open to the public. For more information about the Governor’s Awards in the Arts and the recipients of the 2011 awards, go to http://artscouncil.ky.gov/KentuckyArt/GovAward2011.htm.

The Kentucky Arts Council, the state arts agency, creates opportunities for Kentuckians to value, participate in and benefit from the arts. Kentucky Arts Council funding is provided by the Kentucky General Assembly and the National Endowment for the Arts.