About the Annual Artist of the Year Awards
Art Spark Texas annually honors artists in the field of visual art, dance, music, performance, craft, media and writing. Each year, the Artist of the 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 leading the way as a community catalyst for change.
Art Spark Texas is excited to announce that the 2022 Art Spark Texas Artists of the Year Award Nominations are now closed.
Download Nomination Form (word document .docx)
Download Nomination Form (pdf format)
We are seeking event sponsors who share our commitment to equity and inclusive arts.
Award Descriptions
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.
Nominating Categories:
AWARD CEREMONY INFORMATION
The ceremony will take place in September 2022 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 30, 2022. We will announce winners in June 2022. (In the event of continued COVID complications, the ceremony will be virtual.)
Past Honorees
Haven Allen Artist of the Year
Joan Lawson, 2021
Robert Kelley, 2020
Randy Souders, 2019
Joan Fabian, 2018
Spark Award
Ryan Schmidt, 2021
Josh Pflueger, 2020
Brandon Lack, 2019
DIRECTOR’S COMMENDATION Award
Maria R. Pérez, 2021
Adam Farris, 2020
Susan Beattie, 2019
LYNN MARIE JOHNSON MEDIA ARTS AWARD
Miguel Hernandez (DJ MIK ONE), 2021
Tom Olin, 2020
Gene Rodgers and Dave Dauber, 2019
MOBILE ART AWARD
Gary Bachers, 2021
Gary Flemmons, 2020