The Fools Awards will be entering its fifth year in 2007 and Copy Dog, the company that runs the awards, invites nominations in the various categories.

The Fools Awards is an annual online voting system which allows the public to vote for their favourite movers and shakers in the arts community of KwaZulu-Natal, ensuring local artists receive the accolades they deserve.

Voting covers the genres of theatre, dance and music, and also includes a general category for visual artists, radio personalities and writers.

Winners are announced at an awards ceremony that takes place on April 1 every year in Durban.

Several Impact Awards are presented each year to people or organizations that have made outstanding contributions in their particular field. Selection for this category is not open to public vote.

Charisma Awards are given to two artists who garner the most interesting and supportive comments from their fans.

The Smart Award, named in honour of veteran theatre all-rounder Caroline Smart, is presented to one person in recognition of his or her lifetime achievement in a particular field.

All winners receive a beautifully crafted Jester’s Trophy, or Ninny Stick, designed by gifted Durban artist Wendy Nell.

Some producers have felt they were not taken into account when the initial list of nominees was compiled. For this reason we invite producers to submit details of their productions for the period January 1 to December 31 2006. Only artists and organisations that are based in KwaZulu-Natal, or who spend a significant amount of time in the province, are eligible. A sample nomination form can be obtained on email from copypuppy@artslink.co.za

Nominations should be received by February 15 latest.