From people's best-loved music venues to their most admired artists to their favourite theatres, the search is on to find the 2016 stars of the Norfolk arts scene.

Eastern Daily Press: The 2015 Norfolk Arts Awards at The Maddermarket Theatre. The EDP Peoples Choice Award winner, Norwich Arts Centre.Picture: ANTONY KELLYThe 2015 Norfolk Arts Awards at The Maddermarket Theatre. The EDP Peoples Choice Award winner, Norwich Arts Centre.Picture: ANTONY KELLY (Image: Archant Norfolk 2015)

Nominations open today for the EDP People's Choice Awards - part of the annual Norfolk Arts Awards celebration at the Hostry Festival - which give our readers the chance to highlight their cultural champions.

Last year's EDP People's Choice Awards winner were: Felthorpe-based artist Matt Reeve; Norwich Arts Centre; and the GoGoDragons! charity art trail brought to Norwich by children's charity Break and Wild in Art.

Nominations open today in our search to find a new trio of worthy winners for 2016.

Stash Kirkbride, the Hostry Festival's artistic director, said: 'The Norfolk Arts Awards is the Hostry Festival's red carpet gala event celebrating the arts. It's really an opportunity to celebrate people who make a difference.

'All the other 14 awards are decided by our panel. The EDP People's Choice Awards is as it says on the tin - it's the people's chance to have their say as well and that's really important.

'We are looking forward to receiving all the entries and finding out who those fortunate finalists will be this year.'

Once again there are three EDP People's Choice Awards categories - individual, small organisation and large organisation - and people have until August 23 to put in their nominations.

The top 10 in each category will then be revealed and there will be an online vote to find the three winners which will be announced at the Norfolk Arts Awards ceremony at Norwich Cathedral's Hostry on Friday, October 21.

Eastern Daily Press: The 2015 Norfolk Arts Awards at The Maddermarket Theatre. The EDP Peoples Choice Award winner, Matt Reeve.Picture: ANTONY KELLYThe 2015 Norfolk Arts Awards at The Maddermarket Theatre. The EDP Peoples Choice Award winner, Matt Reeve.Picture: ANTONY KELLY (Image: Archant Norfolk 2015)

To nominate an individual or organisation for an EDP People's Choice Award, visit www.edp24.co.uk

The deadline for EDP People's Choice Awards nominations is August 23.

The Hostry Festival will this year run from October 15 to 30. For more information about events at the festival, visit www.hostryfestival.org

Do you have an arts story? Email arts correspondent Emma Knights at emma.knights@archant.co.uk