Peter G. Beeson Rural Arts Award
The National Association for Rural Mental Health established the Rural
Arts Award in 2007 to honor the life long contributions of Peter G. (Pete)
Beeson to both rural mental health and the rural arts. Pete has been a long
time member of NARMH, also a member of its board of directors as well as a
Howery Award winner. Pete is recognized within the association for his
masterful writing about rural life and his beautiful photography both of
which have graced the pages of many NARMH publications. The board
established the award and recognized Pete as the inaugural recipient at a
plenary session during the 2007 NARMH Annual Conference in Kansas City.
Rural Arts Award Nominations
This year the award recipient will be selected from persons nominated by
NARMH members. Nominees will have been recognized for their contributions to
the arts that highlight aspects of rural life as a central focus of their
work. Using five hundred words or less, describe the nominee, their
preferred art form and the way in which it depicts rural life. Submit your
nomination via email to the NARMH Office at
info@narmh.org. A committee will review the nominees to select the 2009
recipient. Nominations must be received by the NARMH office by May 18, 2009.
If the first choice recipient is not able to attend the conference to
receive the award, an alternate choice will be contacted.
Rural Arts Award Donations
Commitment by the conference planning committee and one generous member
supported the expense of the inaugural presentation to Pete. However, the
board must have help to continue this effort. Please consider making a
donation, an additional contribution when you pay your NARMH dues or a
donation when you register for the NARMH Annual Conference in Albuquerque,
New Mexico this summer. The long term goal of the Board is to establish a
fund that will support the continuation of the award through its proceeds,
but for now we are most interested in supporting this year’s presentation.
Please consider a gift of ten, twenty-five or fifty dollars if possible as
any amount will be helpful. I know Pete joins us in thanking you in advance
for your generous support and recognition of the value of the arts to a
vital and healthy rural life.
NARMH Rural Arts Award
300 33rd Avenue S, Suite 101
Waite Park MN 56387