Art Spark Texas is excited to announce that the 2021 Art Spark Texas Artists of the Year Award Nominations are now open!
Art Spark Texas annually honors artists in the field of visual art, dance, music, performance, craft, media and writing. Each year, awards are given to Texas artists who embody the spirit and vision of Art Spark Texas, and who challenge the perceptions of how people contribute by demonstrating artistic excellence or demonstrating a substantial body of work, or by leading the way as a community catalyst for change through their artistry.
The nominating categories include:
- Spark Award
- Lynn Marie Johnson Media Arts Award
- Mobile Art Senior Artist Award
- Haven Street-Allen Artist of the Year
The Haven Street-Allen Artist of the Year Award is named for former Board member Forrest Haven Street-Allen and honors an established individual who has made an exceptional contribution to affirming that the power of an artistic spirit, combined with determination and will, can influence and shape our society. Each year, the award is given to an artist with a disability in Texas who, through a one-time creative act or a substantial record of achievement, embodies the vision of Art Spark Texas.
The Lynn Marie Johnson Media Arts Award is named for former staff member Lynn Marie Johnson and honors her unwavering advocacy for artists with diverse abilities in media. The award is given to a Texas artist who displays passion and commitment to the promotion and awareness of people with disabilities in the media arts (i.e, video, film, photography, television, radio, social media, etc.) as producer, artist, writer, etc. or any combination.
The SPARK Award is given to an emerging Texas artist with a disability who embodies the infective and innovative spirit of Art Spark Texas. Nominations are open to any individual over the age of 16 years in any discipline, including visual art, dance, music, performance, craft, media and writing.
The Mobile Art Award is named in tribute to Theresa Zelanzy, for her devotion to vital aging for all older adults and their care partners. It is given to a Texas artist, age 65 or older, who exemplifies the philosophy that engagement in the arts improves emotional well-being, supports good health, strengthens social bonds, and brings a heightened experience of purpose and joy. Visual artists who work in 2-dimensional and 3-dimensional, as well as fiber artists, are eligible.
Award Ceremony Information
The ceremony will take place in September 2021 in Austin. We support all winners with their travel costs to come to the event. Nominations are open now and they are due no later than April 16, 2021. We will announce winners in July 2021. (In the event of continued COVID complications, the ceremony will be virtual.)
Eligibility
All artists with disabilities* who live or work in Texas are eligible, ages 16 and up. We also welcome self-nominations.
*Visual art, 2D and 3D, media, dance, music, drama, writer, poet, video, photography, (to name a few)—all are welcome, and we encourage you to nominate someone you know!
Download Nomination Form (word document .docx)
Download Nomination Form (pdf format)