This city's creatives - the artists, performers, chefs, and designers - are our crown jewels, the people who make it a joy to live here.

Each year, New Times honors their achievements with our Big Brain awards, giving cash prizes to emerging creatives. And we're at it again, looking for Valley residents who are cooking, painting, designing, dancing, singing, and sewing their hearts out. We need your help.

Starting now, we are accepting online nominations for Valley residents who deserve to win $500 in one of the following categories: fashion, visual art, performing art, design, or culinary art.

Finalists will be profiled in the paper April 5, and winners will be announced Saturday, April 7, at New Times' Artopia - an evening of art, fashion, food, drinks, and music.

Deadline for submissions is Monday, March 5.