Bloglander

Though it's still a little early for work here to begin on the Inlander's big Fall Arts issue (on stands Sept. 18), the Spokane Arts Fund has for weeks been focusing on a big, first-of-its-kind arts event set for October: Create Spokane Arts Month. 

With a purpose — to celebrate and showcase our region's creative minds and to encourage appreciation and participation in the arts — and a logo nailed down (designed by local arts familiar Tiffany Patterson) focus is shifting toward encouraging the public to nominate major contributors to the Spokane arts community for the first Spokane Arts Awards.

The deadline for nominations is Sept. 8, at midnight, and it's really easy to do. Simply go to the Spokane Arts website and fill out this form to nominate an individual in one of four categories: leadership, collaboration, inclusion and imagination.

Here are descriptions of the ideal candidate for each award category as defined by Spokane Arts:

Leadership — excellent stewardship of resources, positive and consistent advocacy, a role model for others in the arts, a venture culturalist

Inclusion — enacting just and diverse community, building bridges across divides, proactive approach to accessibility and inclusion

Collaboration — creating and supporting partnerships, sharing resources, finding shared solutions, brings new meaning to the phrase “democratic participation”

Imagination — an energizing and inspiring presence, jaw-dropping creativity, a sky’s the limit approach, excellent execution of innovative ideas

The organization encourages nominators to consider people from a range of backgrounds, with distinct or broad ties to the local art scene. Nominees could be educators, artists, volunteers, an organization, community leader, donor, business or other entity. After filling out some basic contact info, the nomination form asks for a short 5-10 sentence paragraph explaining why the person or organization being nominated should be recognized in a respective category. 

Looking for ideas or inspiration? Click through past arts and culture coverage in the Inlander here.

Recipients of the Spokane Arts Awards are to be recognized at the Spokane Arts Awards Costume Ball celebration on Oct. 30 at the Davenport Hotel, the culminating event for Create Spokane Arts Month.