Community events: Nominations open for Maga’Haga Art Awards; Soroptimist offers aid

CAHA seeking nominations for 2025 awards

The Guam Council on the Arts and Humanities Agency, in collaboration with the Office of the Governor, proudly announces the reopening of nominations for the prestigious 2025 Maga'Haga Art Awards, formerly known as the Governor's Art Awards.

This notable program aims to celebrate the incredible talents and contributions of individuals and organizations that have significantly enriched the arts and cultural landscape of Guam.

This initiative is vital as the Maga'Haga Art Awards serve as a beacon of recognition, shining a light on the exceptional artistic achievements that shape Guam’s vibrant culture.

Nominations are currently being accepted across a variety of categories, each designed to recognize different facets of the arts. Categories include:

1.        Youth Artist - Recognizes a talented youth who displays overall artistic excellence.

2.      Literary Arts - Recognizes overall excellence in literary arts.

3.       Visual Arts - Recognizes overall excellence in the visual arts, including media and graphic arts.

4.      Performing Arts - Recognizes overall excellence in music, dance, theater and other presentations.

5.      Heritage Arts - Recognizes overall excellence in heritage, folk and traditional arts.

6.      Champion for the Arts (Individual) - Recognizes an individual who generously supports the arts and culture through sponsorship, educational programming, or community effort.

7.      Champion for the Arts (Group/Organization) - Recognizes a group or organization who generously supports the arts and culture through sponsorship, educational programming, or community effort.

8.      Champion for the Arts (Corporate) - In recognition of outstanding corporate support of the arts within the community through funding and sponsorship of art projects which allows for educational enhancement of the arts.

9.      Posthumous - Recognizes overall excellence of an individual who made a significant contribution to the arts and our island community.

Among the most prestigious accolades are the Special Recognition for Lifetime Achievement and the Lifetime Cultural Contribution Award, both of which are at the sole discretion of the Governor, recognizing those who have profoundly influenced Guam's cultural scene with their artistic endeavors.

Nominations can be submitted following specific guidelines that are available at the CAHA office located at DNA Building, Ste. 202, 238 Archbishop Flores Street in Hagåtña, or they can be downloaded from the CAHA website at www.guamcaha.org. 

The deadline for submitting completed nomination packets accompanied by supporting materials directly to the CAHA office, is set for 4 p.m. on Aug. 21. Late applications or submissions sent by mail or email will not be considered.

For more information about the awards and the nomination process, please contact Jackie Balbas, CAHA Acting Director at (671) 300-7584/ (671) 456-53878 or via email at jacqueline.balbas@caha.guam.gov . 

Live Your Dream: Empowering women

Women who serve as the primary wage earners for their families and seek financial assistance to continue their education or receive training can now apply for the Soroptimist Live Your Dream: Education and Training Awards for Women.

Applications are available at lyda-application.pdf or by contacting Rotalia Borja, Award Chair, at rotaliab@gmail.com. The application deadline is Nov. 15.  

The Soroptimist International of Guam club will provide a $1,000 cash award to its award recipient, who will then advance to the Soroptimist Founder Region level, where recipients may receive up to an additional $5,000. The program culminates with three finalists $10,000 awards. 

Recipients can use the Live Your Dream Award to offset costs associated with their efforts to attain higher education or additional skills and training. This includes tuition, books, childcare, transportation, or any other education-related expense.  

The Live Your Dream Award provides over $2.8 million in cash awards to head-of-household women in need each year. Since the program’s inception in 1972, more than $40 million has helped tens of thousands of women achieve their dreams of a better life for themselves and their families. 

For more information, contact Rotalia Borja, 858-414-5944, rotaliab@gmail.com   For more information about how Soroptimist improves the lives of women and girls, visit www.soroptimist.org.