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2008 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 2008 recipient. Nominations must be received by the NARMH office by July 11, 2008. 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 last year’s 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 Burlington, Vermont 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.

Click to make a DONATION online via credit card. Your donation is tax deductible since NARMH is a 501c3 organization. You can also mail a check to the NARMH office: