Secretary Detzner Seeks Nominations for Florida Folk Heritage Awards

Annual awards recognize exemplary contributions to Florida’s traditional culture

Tallahassee, Florida –

Secretary of State Ken Detzner today announced that the Florida Department of State is seeking nominations for the 2014 Florida Folk Heritage Awards. The annual awards recognize individuals who have made exemplary contributions to Florida’s traditional culture.

"The Florida Folk Heritage Awards recognize authenticity, excellence and talent within the folk arts, and honor our most significant and influential traditional artists," said Secretary Detzner. "We are pleased to acknowledge the distinguished Floridians whose skills and accomplishments in the traditional arts affirm the rich cultural legacy of our state."

Folklife includes a wide range of creative forms such as art, crafts, dance, language, music, and ritual. These cultural traditions are transmitted by word of mouth and demonstration, and are shared within community, ethnic, occupational, religious and regional groups. Nominees should be individuals whose art or advocacy has embodied the best of traditional culture in their communities.

Nominations should describe the accomplishments and background of the nominee, and explain why he or she deserves statewide recognition for preserving a significant facet of the state’s cultural heritage. Support materials such as photographs, slides, audio and video samples, and letters will assist the state’s Florida Folklife Council in evaluating nominees. Each nomination also requires at least two letters of support from community members, colleagues, peers, cultural specialists, or any other individuals who can confirm the details of the nomination and attest to the nominee's qualifications.

The 2013 Florida Folk Heritage Awards honored three individuals who have made significant contributions to Florida’s folk cultural heritage. The awardees included beekeeper Laurence Cutts of Chipley; visionary artist and sculptor Reverend O. L. Samuels of Tallahassee; and Afro-Cuban dancer, choreographer, and folklife advocate Neri Torres.

Nominations must be postmarked no later than October 1, 2013, and mailed to: Florida Folklife Program, Division of Historical Resources, R.A. Gray Building – 4th Floor, 500 South Bronough Street, Tallahassee, Florida 32399-0250. For more information about the Florida Folk Heritage Awards, or the Florida Folklife Program, contact State Folklorist Blaine Q. Waide at 850.245.6427 or 800.847.PAST. For additional information, visit flheritage.com/preservation/folklife/awards/index.cfm.

# # #

About the Florida Folklife Program

The Florida Folklife Program, a component of the Florida Department of State's Division of Historical Resources, documents and presents Florida’s folklife, folklore and folk arts. The program coordinates a wide range of activities and projects designed to increase the awareness of Floridians and visitors alike about Florida’s traditional culture. Established in 1979 by the legislature to document and present Florida folklife, this program is one of the oldest state folk arts programs in the nation. The Florida Folklife Program is funded in part by the National Endowment for the Arts’ Folk and Traditional Arts Program. For more information about Florida folklife, visit flheritage.com/preservation/folklife/.