The Wisconsin Foundation for the Arts invites nominations for the 2009 Governor's Awards in Support of the Arts. Nominations are accepted in three categories: individual leaders who have demonstrated strong support for the arts, corporations or businesses that include exemplary support for the arts in their business plans and community organizations that have developed outstanding arts projects.

Nomination forms are available now from the Wisconsin Foundation for the Arts, P.O. Box 1404, Madison, WI 53701-1404 or online at this Web site. All nominations and detailed supporting materials must be postmarked by July 17, 2009.

Governor Jim Doyle and First Lady Jessica Doyle will host the recognition ceremony this fall at the Executive Residence. Honorees will receive a framed citation signed by the Governor and a piece of original artwork commissioned by the Wisconsin Foundation for the Arts. This year, internationally known Madison artist Lee Weiss received the Foundation's commission.

Since 1980, when the Governor's Awards in Support of the Arts were established, the Foundation andthe Governor have shared the pleasure of honoring more than 120 individuals, businesses and organizations whose extraordinary contributions to the vitality of the arts in local communities or statewide deserve recognition. Recipients of the Awards in 2008 were: John and Patty Noel, Stevens Point; John W. Thompson, Madison; Milwaukee Youth Symphony Orchestra, Milwaukee; and M&I Marshall & Ilsley Bank, Milwaukee.

The Wisconsin Foundation for the Arts is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to strengthen the links between business, arts and government throughout Wisconsin. The Foundation is supported solely by membership dues and tax-deductible contributions.

For more information, contact Kristi Williams at 608-839-4758 or Beverly Lemberger at 608-283-2447.