The Longwood Center for the Visual Arts (LCVA) is now accepting nominations for the 2018 Community Achievement in the Arts Awards.

The awards, established more than 20 years ago, recognize the individuals, volunteers, businesses and non-profit organizations that have enriched lives through their contributions to the arts in Southside Virginia.

Since its inception, over 40 individuals, businesses and organizations have received the award. Nominees will be accepted from the counties of Amelia, Appomattox, Buckingham, Charlotte, Cumberland, Lunenburg, Nottoway and Prince Edward.

Last year’s awardees included Mainly Clay, The Virginia Children’s Book Festival, Mary Jo Stockton, Gerald J. Spates, Nancy Lockwood, Alec Hosterman and Austin D. Van Horn.

“Receiving this award means the world to me and the VCBF team, a small group of dedicated volunteers that works so hard to turn this dream into a reality,” said Juanita Giles, who received the 2017 organization award for the Virginia Children’s Book Festival.

Contributions to the visual, performing and literary arts qualify for consideration. Some examples of eligible contributions would include educating and/ or advocating, program development, youth and/or adult services, volunteering, festivals and events or staff development. Awardees will be selected and reviewed by the CAA Nominating Committee.

Pam Butler received an award in 2017 for bringing her business, Mainly Clay, to Downtown Farmville. She said, “When I found out that Mainly Clay had won the Business Award for LCVA’s Community Achievement in the Arts Awards, I was completely surprised and appreciative to be honored in such a special way.”

The 2018 award recipients will be celebrated at the LCVA on Friday, April 27, from 5-8 p.m.

Nomination forms are available at cva.longwood.edu/programs/ community-achievements-arts-awards and hard copies at the LCVA and at several downtown business and public facilities. Nominations will be accepted until March 2.