Artists of the Year Awards

Our 9th Annual Artist of the Year Award nominations are now open for 2026!

Click the above banner to access the nomination form.

ABOUT THE AWARDS

Art Spark Texas annually honors and centers artists with disabilities 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.

Learn more about the categories below. Email [email protected] if you have any questions.

Become an Artist of the Year Awards Sponsor!
For more information, please contact [email protected]

Nominating Categories

Click on the tabs to read more about the nominating categories

Haven Street-Allen Artist of the Year Award
Lynn Marie Johnson Media Arts Award
SPARK Award
Gloria Bond Creative Aging Award
Creative Veteran Service Award

Rules and Eligibility

Who is eligible to submit a nomination for an award? 
Anyone can nominate. We also welcome self-nominations and encourage you to nominate someone you know!

Who is eligible to receive an award?
Award nominees are not required to be affiliated with Art Spark Texas. Eligibility includes all artists with disabilities, who live or work in Texas, ages 16 and up. Visual art, 2D and 3D, media, dance, music, drama, poetry, literature, video, and photography (to name a few) are all welcome. Art Spark Texas staff and Board members are not eligible to receive awards. See award descriptions below for specific eligibility.

How will the awardee be selected?
A panel of judges will jury the nominations. The judges will review nominations based on each nominee’s eligibility and the nominee's contribution to the arts. The winner will exhibit the guidelines described in each awards’ criteria. Review the award descriptions below to learn more about the specific selection method.

What do the awardees receive?
Awardees will receive an honorarium, custom plaque commemorating artistic achievement, recognition as a featured artist on the Art Spark Texas' website and social media, and an invitation to attend our annual event as a guest of honor to be publicly recognized for their achievements.

All Photographs taken by Steven Rogers Photography
  • "Yesterday I had the honor of providing the music entertainment for the 8th Annual Art Spark Texas Artist of the Year Awards at the Long Center in Austin. The ceremony was such a powerful reminder of how the arts can build equity, inclusion, and connection... Sharing music in a space that celebrates creativity, community, and disability advocacy was truly inspiring." - Alexia McLean

PREVIOUS WINNERS

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