The government of Australia is accepting nominations for a new awards program that recognizes the role its artists play in enhancing the country's relationship with Asian countries.

Arts Minister Tony Burke announced the awards program in mid-June. Eligible artists and arts organizations can nominate themselves for the awards or be nominated by a third party. Nominations will be accepted until Sunday.

"On my recent trip to China and India, I was impressed by the range of Australian artists and arts organizations working there in strong collaborative partnerships with Asian arts organizations," Burke said at the announcement ceremony. "The Sydney Symphony Orchestra, for example, is working with China's National Centre for the Performing Arts and the National Library of Australia with the National Library of China."