The awards will be presented April 5 at Riverside Golf Club.

The Moonshell Awards recognize excellence in the arts and humanities in Hall County and celebrate the contributions made by the arts to the quality of life in the Nebraska heartland.

Worthy candidates are those who have demonstrated arts and humanities accomplishments characterized by passion, service, dedication and innovation. Areas of contribution include architecture, dance, literature, music, folk arts, arts education, film, photography, theater, visual arts and services for the arts.

Deadline for entries is March 1.

To be eligible, the nominee must reside, work, perform or show in Hall County. Nominations must include the name, address and phone number, award category and a minimum two-paragraph testimonial of why the nominee is deserving of an award. Included should be supplemental materials such as photos, video, review, programs, playbills, etc.

Nomination categories are the Patron of the Arts Award, Event or Performance Award, Literary Award, Larry Maupin Education Award, Outstanding Visual Artist or Performance Award, Arts and Humanities Project Award, Junior Event or Performance Award and the Junior Outstanding Artist Award.

Selections will be made in March by a panel of representatives from various art and humanities disciplines as well as past award winners. Winners will be announced via the media mid-March.

For more information, call Marsha Dunn, 2008 Moonshell chairwoman, at 384-0820, or Tricia Beem, 2008 Moonshell vice chairwoman, at 382-4400.