Arts award deadline looms

The Ventura County Arts Council is accepting nominations for its 2007 Art Stars awards, which honor artists, arts philanthropists, businesses and organizations that support the arts and made a major contribution to arts culture during 2006 in Ventura County.

The deadline for nominations is 5 p.m. Thurs., Feb. 15. Nomination criteria, forms and instructions are available on the Ventura County Arts Council website, www.venturacountyarts.net. Nominations will be accepted via U.S. mail or in person at the Ventura County Arts Council, 646 County Square Drive, Ste. 154, Ventura, CA 93003.

Nominations will be accepted in the following categories: businesses, local government bodies, civic organizations, nonprofit arts organizations, artists in community service, arts philanthropists, arts educators, national recognition and the Ed Robings Cultural Tourism Award. Winners will be selected by a panel of their peers. The 2007 Art Stars Awards will be held Sun., April 22 at the Oceanview Pavilion in Port Hueneme. The proceeds from this event will benefit the Ventura County Partnership for the Arts Fund, which provides grants to individuals and organizations that promote the arts. Funds will be distributed through a competitive peer review process.

For more information, call the council at (805) 6582213 or email info@venturacountyarts.net.