GREENSBURG, PA.- Judge Marjorie O. Rendell, First Lady of the Commonwealth, today announced that the 2005 Governor's Awards for the Arts would be held in the City of Greensburg during an event at the Westmoreland Museum of American Art.

The Awards ceremony will take place at the Palace Theatre in October. Joining Judge Rendell for the announcement was Executive Director of the Pennsylvania Council on the Arts Philip Horn, and Council Vice Chairman Carol R. Brown of Pittsburgh.

"In keeping with a gubernatorial tradition that began 25 years ago, the Rendell Administration is happy to continue this celebration of excellence and achievements in the arts across Pennsylvania," said the First Lady. "Governor Rendell is eager to bring the presentation of these awards to Westmoreland County, enabling another unique region of our Commonwealth to join in honoring individuals, arts organizations and patrons of the arts who have made significant contributions to cultural advancements in this state."

The presentation of the Governor's Awards for the Arts to outstanding individuals, arts organizations, and patrons of the arts, is a part of a 25-year gubernatorial tradition celebrating excellence and achievement of the arts in Pennsylvania. Past recipients of Governor's Awards for the Arts include: Lang Lang, Jimmy Stewart, Marian Anderson, Andrew Wyeth, James Michener, Chaim Potok, Peter Nero, Fred Rogers, M. Night Shyamalan, and August Wilson.

Governor Rendell will recognize contributions to the arts in five categories: the Distinguished Arts Award; the Patron Award; Outstanding Leadership and Service in the Arts for Youth Award; the Pennsylvania Creative Community Award; and the Artist of the Year (The Hazlett Memorial Award). Nominations come from an open call to arts organizations, artists, arts patrons, elected officials and members of the public. A panel comprised of current members of the Pennsylvania Council on the Arts will review the nominations and make their recommendations to Governor Rendell.

With the selection of Greensburg as this year's host city, Governor Rendell continues the tradition of holding the Awards in a different location across Pennsylvania each year. This enables new regions of the Commonwealth to join in celebrating the contributions of the arts to the vitality of Pennsylvania. Past host locations include Reading, Pittsburgh, Allentown, Harrisburg, Altoona, and Philadelphia.