NOMINATIONS ARE OPEN FOR THE 2023 ARTIST OF THE YEAR AWARDS
Art Spark Texas is excited to announce that the 2023 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.
*If you need assistance with this form, please contact [email protected]

Award Descriptions
Nominating Categories:
Click on the tabs to read more about the nominating categories
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.
Become a 2023 Artist of the Year Awards Sponsor!
For more information, please contact [email protected]
Past Honorees
HAVEN ALLEN ARTIST OF THE YEAR AWARD
Kemi Yemi-Ese, 2022
Joan Lawson, 2021
Robert Kelley, 2020
Randy Souders, 2019
Joan Fabian, 2018
SPARK AWARD
Samuel Eiler, 2022
Ryan Schmidt, 2021
Josh Pflueger, 2020
Brandon Lack, 2019
Jordana Gerlach, 2018
DIRECTOR’S COMMENDATION AWARD
Judith Miller, 2022
Maria R. Pérez, 2021
Adam Farris, 2020
Susan Beattie, 2019
Jackson Sutton, 2018
LYNN MARIE JOHNSON MEDIA ARTS AWARD
Thor’Oakley Armbruster, 2022
Miguel Hernandez (DJ MIK ONE), 2021
Tom Olin, 2020
Gene Rodgers and Dave Dauber, 2019
GLORIA BOND CREATIVE AGING AWARD
Pat Falconer, 2022
Gary Bachers, 2021
Gary Flemmons, 2020