The Tacoma Arts Commission is currently accepting nominations for the 2013 AMOCAT Arts Awards, which aim to recognize individuals and organizations that support and build the local arts community.

The three award categories are Community Outreach by an Individual (Community outreach, engagement, and involvement in the arts in Tacoma by an individual); Community Outreach by an Organization (Community outreach, engagement, and involvement in the arts in Tacoma by an organization); and Arts Patron (A community partner who significantly supports or contributes to the arts in Tacoma).

“The AMOCAT Arts Awards help spotlight the people and organizations who are investing their time, money, and passion into improving our community through the arts,” said Tacoma Mayor Marilyn Strickland. “These people have helped make the arts an essential part of Tacoma’s identity and we want to recognize them for their service.”

To make a nomination, simply fill out a nomination form online at surveymonkey.com/s/AMOCAT13. Nominations are due by Fri., Aug. 30, 2013. The Tacoma Arts Commission will review all nominations and select one finalist in each award category based on the breadth and depth of the nominee’s community impact, as well as the quality of the work being done by the nominee, not by the number of times the nominee was nominated. Mayor Strickland will present the 2013 AMOCAT Arts Awards at the Art at Work Month Opening Party in late-October.

In the category of Community Outreach by an Individual, past winners include Lynn Di Nino, Jared Pappas-Kelley & Michael S. Lent, Laura and Matt Eklund, Lance Kagey & Tom Llewellyn, Linda Danforth, William Kupinse, Oliver Doriss, Stella Haioulani, and Katy Evans.

In the category of Community Outreach by an Organization, past winners include Tacoma Art Museum & Museum of Glass Education Programs, Arts Impact, Tacoma School of the Arts, Barefoot Studios, Victory Music, King’s Books, Hilltop Artists, Fab-5, D.A.S.H. Center for the Arts, and The Grand Cinema.

In the category of Arts Patron, past winners include Sound Transit Art Program, Pierce Transit, 6th Avenue Business District, The Weekly Volcano, Hotel Murano, City Arts, Urban Grace Church, The Greater Tacoma Community Foundation, and Key Bank.

More information about the AMOCAT Arts Awards is available online here.