SEARCH THIS SITE

Jean Laney Harris Folk Heritage Awards

The nomination deadline for the 2008 awards is extended to February 22, 2008.

 

 

Nomination Instructions

 

Restrictions

• Nominees must be living at the time of their nomination.
• Nominees must be practicing their art or advocating for a traditional art in the state of South Carolina.
• Past Folk Heritage Award recipients are not eligible.

 

---

 

Required Materials

1.  Nomination Form

The three-page nomination form is a PDF document. How to Use PDFs

 

2.  Narrative

The narrative should make the case for the nominee's exemplary contributions to the traditional arts in South Carolina and their work has enriched the lives of those in their community and across the state.

 

The narrative should be no more than two (one-sided) pages, using at least 12 point type, and include the following:

 

If nominating a traditional artist:

• Describe the significance of the traditional artist or group in maintaining or stimulating the tradition to higher levels of artistic achievements.
• Do other practitioners of this art form recognize the artist as a master of the art form? Explain how.
• See for all nominees below.

 

If nominating a traditional arts advocate :

• Describe the significance of the advocate in supporting a South Carolina tradition or interpreting it to a wider audience.
• Has the nominee raised the level of awareness about a particular tradition? Explain how.
• Is the nominee recognized by members of the traditional community for his/her support? Explain by whom.
• See for all nominees below.

 

For all nominees:

• Did the nominee learn this tradition through apprenticeship or informal transmission rather than through formal education? Explain process.
• Is this a tradition with a historic connection to a South Carolina community? What is the significance of this tradition to the state's heritage?
• Is this a tradition with a history of practice in the nominee's community?
• How long has nominee practiced this tradition?
• What is the importance of the tradition to the community?
• Have others benefited in any way from nominee's skills, knowledge or effects? Describe how and who.

 

3.  Letters of Support

You may provide up to 10 letters supporting the nomination. Letters should reinforce statements in the narrative regarding the nominee's knowledge, contributions, achievements, impact, and community involvement, and should provide specific examples whenever possible. Each letter should be labeled with the nominee's name and number corresponding with the Letters of Support list included in the nomination form.

 

4.  Additional Support Materials

Support materials should reinforce and expand on the information provided in the narrative and letters of support. A nominee cannot be evaluated without support materials. If you need assistance in assembling materials, contact Julianne Carroll, 803-734-8764, well in advance of the deadline.

 

Examples of support materials may include, but are not necessarily limited to:

• A portfolio representing the nominee's body of work or accomplishments
• A book or publication about the nominee
• Audio and/or video recordings
• News clippings and/or magazine articles
• Photographs and/or slides (images may be submitted on CD)
• Samples of an artist's work

Please do not include more than 5 pieces of support materials. For example, one scrapbook, one CD, a collection of news clippings, a photo album and a poster would be considered 5 different pieces of support materials.

 

Please do not provide multiples of the same type of support materials, for example: more than one scrapbook, multiple audio CDs or DVDs.

 

Please do not include multiple formats of the same piece of material, for example: the same images in print and on a CD.

 

If including a lengthy example of work, such as a book or a CD, please identify a brief excerpt that represents the nominee's best work, i.e. mark a specific page or provide a track number.

 

Each item of support material should be labeled with the nominee's name and number corresponding with the Support Materials List in the nomination form.

 

If the nominator wishes to have support materials returned, please provide a self-addressed stamped envelope capable of holding the materials, or arrange to personally pick up the items from the Arts Commission.

 

Support Materials Index:

List all support materials on an additional sheet and label as Support Materials Index. Include the nominee's and nominator's names as well as the information listed below:

 

• Audio and video cassettes: Place the selection(s) that you would like reviewed in priority order at the beginning of a tape. Selection 1 would be indicated as 0"00".
• Video recordings: Tapes must be 1/2 inch VHS cassette recorded at standard play speed.
• CDs and/or DVDs: Indicate the track number(s)/selection you want to be reviewed in priority order.
• Slides: Slides must be 35mm and suitable for carousel projection. Submit slides as follows:
  • Number each slide
  • Include a numbered list of the individual slides to the Support Material Index. Be sure that the numbers on your list correspond to the numbered slides
  • Provide the following information on the index, as applicable, about each slide:
  • A brief description of the work, including how this image relates to the nominee
  • Name of nominee
  • Title of slide/work
  • Medium
  • Date of work/activity
  • Dimensions of artwork

5.  Image of Nominee for Publicity Purposes

Please provide an image of the nominee, in electronic (preferred) or print format, suitable for publicity use if the nominee is selected to receive an award. Electronic images may be submitted on a CD as high-resolution JPG, TIFF, or EPS files.

 

---

 

Assembling the Nomination Packet

Please assemble your nomination packet in a 3-ring binder using plastic sleeves. Do not staple, punch or otherwise bind materials, as they will be taken apart for copying. Support materials that do not fit within a binder may be enclosed in an envelope or box accompanying the packet. Please ensure that all materials are clearly labeled.

 

How the Selection Process Works

For information on the selection process, please see the award legislation document.

 

What to Consider When Preparing an Application

• Please keep in mind that the selection committee sees photocopies of the application and narrative. While an attractive presentation has its merits, it is not necessary to create elaborate or highly decorated enclosures for the nomination materials. The committee makes its recommendations based on the content of the application, and may not see the original version.
• The selection committee will review many nominations during its meeting, and may not have time to look at every piece of support material in its entirety. Please make sure that support materials are of high quality, brief, and that they convey their support of the nomination in a succinct and effective way.
• Please do not submit items as support materials that are valuable, irreplaceable, or otherwise treasured. Images, reproductions, and photocopies are acceptable. The Arts Commission cannot be responsible for lost or damaged items.

 

---

 

Mail the nomination form and all materials to:
South Carolina Arts Commission
Jean Laney Harris Heritage Award Nominations
1800 Gervais Street
Columbia, SC 29201

All nominations must be postmarked by January 15.

Award recipients will be announced in late spring.