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2026 Heart of the Arts Award Nomination Form

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The Minette Cooper Heart of the Arts Award honors a Hampton Roads volunteer whose passion, leadership, and dedication reflect Mrs. Cooper’s lifelong commitment to arts education and cultural enrichment across our region.

Nominators are invited to recognize an individual whose service, advocacy, and collaboration have made a meaningful impact on the arts in Hampton Roads. Please complete the form below to submit your nomination. Self-nominations are accepted.

Award submission timeline and deadline: The call for nominations is issued by the board of Arts for Learning: Young Audiences of Virginia to Hampton Roads.

  • Nominations will be accepted from April 22, 2026 to June 26, 2026.
  • The deadline for receipt of online and mail-in nominations is June 26 by 5:00 p.m., 2026.
  • The panel of judges will render a decision by August 2026. The announcement of the winner will be August 21, 2026.
  • All nominees will be recognized, and the award recipient announced, at our Artoberfest luncheon on October 22, 2026.

Nominee Details

Nominee Full Name*
Max. file size: 50 MB.
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Nominees may be contacted if selected for recognition.

Guidelines and Criteria

For mailed entries, please address the following four (4) criteria, not to exceed four (4 pages). Please note the following formatting requirements: Times New Roman, 12 pt Font, Line spacing 1.25 min, 1.5 max, 1-inch margins
  • Briefly describe the area(s) impacted by the nominee and the duration of the support. Areas of may include, but are not limited to arts education, arts and culture (museums, performing arts, choral arts, literary arts, theatre, dance, etc.)
  • Please describe the nominee’s contribution to the arts in Hampton Roads. It can be related to financial contributions, in-kind donations, consistent volunteer efforts with an organization as well as possible board or committee membership. Think about time, talent and treasure.
  • Please share how the community benefits from the nominee’s contributions?
  • Please provide a summary statement explaining why the nominee should be selected and if any future goals the nominee may have for participation in the arts and the life of the community. Include information the judges may not know, e.g. mentoring others for leadership roles..

Supplemental Documents


Nominators can submit up to four (4) attachments for amplification, e.g. letters of support, news clippings, pictures, etc..
Max. file size: 50 MB.
Max. file size: 50 MB.
Max. file size: 50 MB.
Max. file size: 50 MB.

Nominator Details

Nominator Full Name*

Acknowledgement & Certification

Consent*
Consent*
Consent*

Privacy Notice: All nomination materials will be used solely for the purpose of evaluating candidates for the Heart of the Arts Award.

To explore Minette Cooper’s legacy and understand why she holds a special place within our organization, please read more here.

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Main Office
Arts for Learning
420 North Center Drive
Suite 239
Norfolk, Virginia 23502
Phone: 757-466-7555

Main Office

Arts for Learning Virginia
420 North Center Drive
Suite 239
Norfolk, Virginia 23502
Phone:
757-466-7555