The driving artistic force behind Full Throttle Theatre Company (formerly Tropic Sun), and a father of Townsville’s performing arts scenes, Jean-Pierre Voos will be honoured through a new, annual award at the Townsville City Council Arts Awards for which nominations have just opened.

Lifestyle and Community Development chair Cr Jenny Lane encouraged residents to nominate local artists and have their skills and dedication recognised.

“Townsville’s annual arts, culture and entertainment awards recognise outstanding contributions in the local artistic and cultural community,” Cr Lane said.

“You can nominate a professional or non-professional individual, organisation, event or production that has made a contribution to the cultural development of the city in 2010.

“Winners will be judged on excellence, significant contribution, cultural contribution and community contribution.”

She said the new Jean-Pierre Voos Theatre Award was a fitting tribute to a man who had dedicated his life to performing arts and had enriched the Townsville scene.

“Jean-Pierre came to Townsville with an international reputation as a European artist with a great passion and talent,” Cr Lane said.

“He spent more than 20 years here and became an inspirational role model to many young actors and directors.

“The continued success of performing arts in the city is testament to his passion and dedication and we hope to impart some of that spirit through this new, annual award.”

The categories include:

Visual Arts Individual
Visual Arts Exhibition
Writing
Theatre
Dance
The Jean-Pierre Voos Theatre Award for outstanding contribution to theatre
Multi-Media and Film
Event/Festival
Production of the Year
Limelight Award - in memory of the late Stan Newman, O.A.M.
Technical
Regional Arts Development Fund
Outstanding Performance by an Individual
Music

Nominations for the Townsville arts awards close on 14 February 2011. Nomination forms are available online at the Townsville City Council website or from the council offices in Townsville, Thuringowa and Northtown, CityLibraries, Civic Theatre, Riverway Arts Centre, Perc Tucker Regional Gallery and Pinnacles Gallery.

The Townsville City Council Arts Awards, sponsored by Cox Rayner, will be held at the Townsville Civic Theatre on March 11 and will feature local artists, dance groups and theatre performances. Full program details will be available shortly on council’s website.