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The Council's Arts Award Program

The 2011 "Celebration of the Arts" Program was held at the Alabama Shakespeare Festival on Tuesday, May, 17, 2011, at 7:30 p.m.  This special evening was filled with performances celebrating the achievements of each of the recipients. The program's format is similar to the Kennedy Center Honors. Tickets are always FREE and are on a first-come-first-serve basis.  2011 Arts Award Program 2009 Arts Award Program 2007 Arts Award Program 2005 Arts Award Program 2003 Arts Award Program 2001 Arts Award Program History of the Arts Award Program Jonnie Dee Little Lifetime Achievement Distinguished Artist Award Folk Heritage Award Governor's Arts Award Special Council Award Art Leadership Award How to Nominate

You may need to update Adobe Reader in order to save the nomination form. Click here for FREE adobe reader software download.

Award Nominations

You are encouraged to submit nominations for any of the Council's Awards.  The Awards Presentations are held in alternating years. The next presentations are scheduled for 2011 and 2013 in Montgomery.  

Nominations deadline for the 2010 Arts Awards Program was October 31, 2010. Recipients have been selected and notified. Media releases will announce the recipients and the special awards they are scheduled to receive on Tuesday, May 17, 2011 at 7:30 p.m.. The evening will be filled with selected performances honoring each recipient and the gala event will be held at the Alabama Shakespeare Festival, 1 Festival Drive, Montgomery, Alabama 36117 

Nominations for the 2013 Arts Awards Program will be accepted in the fall of 2012.

• You may download a copy of the nomination form in Adobe Acrobat format. You will need a copy of the free Acrobat Reader to open the file and print. To download the nominations form click here.

• You may need to update Adobe Reader in order to save the nomination form. Click here for FREE adobe reader software download.

The Jonnie Dee Little Lifetime Achievement Award represents recognition by the Council for one who has devoted a lifetime of energy, service, and contributions to the arts in Alabama. The award is named after a past Council Member Dr. Jonnie Dee Little who exemplified the spirit of this award in every respect.

• James Hatcher, Birmingham
• Jonnie Dee Little, Auburn
• J. L. Lowe, Birmingham
• Wynton Blount, Montgomery
• Louise Rodgers, Huntsville
• Hugh Thomas, Birmingham
• Allen Bales, Tuscaloosa
• Jack Warner, Tuscaloosa
• Elton B. Stephens, Birmingham
• James Nelson, Birmingham
• Philip A. Sellers, Montgomery
• Gloria Narramore Moody, Birmingham
• Robert P. Gamble, Greenville
• Dot Moore, Guntersville
• Joe McInnes, Montgomery

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The Distinguished Artist Award is recognition by the Council to a professional artist who is considered a native or adopted son of Alabama and who has earned significant national acclaim for their art over an extended period.

• Jim Nabors, Honolulu/Sylacauga
• William Christenberry, Washington, D. C.
• Frank Fleming, Birmingham
• Fannie Flagg, Fairhope/Los Angeles
• Albert Murray, New York, N.Y.
• George Lindsey, Jasper/Nashville
• Nall, Troy/Fairhope
• Beth Nielsen Chapman, Montgomery/Nashville
• Rebecca Luker, Birmingham/New Yourk

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The Alabama Folk Heritage Award was established to recognize master folk artists who have made outstanding contributions to their particular artistic tradition. The award is intended to honor long-term achievement within art forms that are rooted in the traditional or ethnic culture of Alabama.

For additional information on the Alabama Folk Heritage Award recipients, visit the Folklife Section. Use the back button on your browser to return to this page.

• H. Japeth Jackson, Ozark
• Johnny Shines, Tuscaloosa
• Nora Ezell, Eutaw
• Noah Lacy, Ider
• Gail Thrower, Atmore
• Lomia Nunn, Graham
• Betty Kimbrell, Mt. Olive
• Art Deason, Centreville
• Sterling Jubilee Singers, Bessemer
• Bo McGee, Eutaw
• Jerry Brown, Hamilton
• Margie and Enoch Sullivan, St. Stephens
• Jerry McCain, Gadsden
• Willie King, Old Memphis
• James Bryan, Mentone

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The Special Council Legacy Award recognizes individuals who make unique contributions for the public arena that will have a lasting import on future generations in Alabama and beyond. 

• Vestal Goodman, Fyffe/Nashville
• Gee's Bend Quilters, Boykin
• Kathryn Tucker Windham. Selma
• Patsy Riley, Montgomery/Ashland

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• Representative Bill Fuller, LaFayette

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