The Rockford Area Arts Awards, hosted by the Arts Council, is an annual acknowledgment and celebration of the ways in which the arts positively impact our community. The Arts Awards and after-party are hosted on Friday, March 8, 2024, at the Rockford Woman’s Club Theatre—a historic, charming location—half a block from the Coronado.
Nominations
NOMINATIONS for the 2024 Rockford Area Arts Awards are open from November 6th – January 13th, closing at midnight, January 13th, 2023.
Two Steps
- Nominations must be submitted: November 6th, 2023 – January 13th, 2024. Nominees will be contacted by the Arts Council on January 13th with application information.
- Nominees must submit their application: January 13th – January 31st, 2024
Categories
Distinguished Artist of the Year: This individual is recognized as distinguished in their discipline, having made a significant contribution to the Rockford community through the arts over their career. This is an honorary position for one year, during which the individual will serve as an arts ambassador for the Rockford Region.
Young Arts Ambassador: This individual is recognized as having made a significant contribution in the Rockford community through the arts. This is an honorary position for one year, during which the individual will serve as a youth ambassador in the Rockford area. Must be between the ages of 13-18.
Visual Artist of the Year: Recognizes an individual visual artist who demonstrated significant achievement in, or contribution to, the Visual Arts in the Rockford Area in 2023.
Performing Artist of the Year: Recognizes an individual performing artist or ensemble (music, dance, choreography, actor, etc) who demonstrated significant achievement in, or contribution to, the Arts in the Rockford Area in 2023.
Production of the Year: Awarded to an individual, business, ensemble, or organization that produced the best local theatre, film, media, or live production in the Rockford Area in 2023.
Innovation in the Arts Award: Awarded to an individual, business, or organization whose work in the Rockford Area pushed the traditional boundaries of the art market by use of new or emergent media, a new perspective on an old theme, or avant-garde digital integration in 2023.
Arts Educator of the Year: Awarded to a Rockford Area educator who has demonstrated exceptionalism in education either through a career of leadership and mentorship or through a specific student-led project in 2023.
Literary Excellence: Awarded to a Rockford Area individual, or agency, who has demonstrated exceptionalism in the literary arts through authorship, performance, and/or contribution to the overall literary community in 2023.
Placemaking + Spacemaking: Recognizes an individual, business, organization, public art installation, or event that enhanced life for Rockford Area residents through the arts in 2023.
Excellence in Service to the Arts Award – Individual: Recognizes an individual who has made a significant contribution in support of the Arts in the Rockford Area in 2023.
Excellence in Service to the Arts Award – Organization/Company: Recognizes a business or organization that has made a significant contribution in support of the Arts in the Rockford Area in 2023.
Past Awards
2023
Lifetime Achievement in Memoriam | Bruce McDonald
Distinguished Artist of the Year | Betsy Youngquist
Visual Artist of the Year | Brett Whitacre
Performing Artist of the Year | Micky Torpedo
Production of the Year | The Studio: The Girls of Summer
Innovation in the Arts | SOMNIUM: The Book of Dreams and Nightmares
Arts Educator of the Year | Judith Meyer
Young Arts Ambassador | Lincoln Halverson
Excellence in Service to the Arts Award – Individual | Norm Knott
Excellence in Service to the Arts Award – Organization/Company | Tad More Tailoring
Placemaking + Spacemaking | Stay and Sew
2022
Lifetime Achievement Award | Dorothy Paige Turner
Distinguished Artist of the Year | Fatherless Print Posse
Visual Artist of the Year | Jenny Mathews
Performing Artist of the Year | Robert Rub
Innovation in the Arts | 317 Art Collective
Arts Educator of the Year | Brian Hierstein
Youth Arts Ambassador | Juwayria Zahurullah
Excellence in Service to the Arts | Stars of Light – Stepping Stones
Placemaking + Spacemaking | Rockford Area Convention & Visitors Bureau
Public Art of the Year | Women’s Suffrage Centennial Plaza & Committee
2021
Lifetime Achievement in Memoriam | Deborah Newton
Distinguished Artist of the Year | Steven Larsen
Visual Artist of the Year | Manny “Chinacat” Tang
Performing Artist of the Year | Richard Raether
Film of the Year | Bryan Nambo
Innovation in the Arts | Eddaviel Montero
New Media Artist of the Year | Iga Puchalska
Placemaking + Spacemaking | Dance at the Dells (Meghan and Caitlyn Baylor)
Public Art of the Year | Scott Yates
Arts Educator | Maria Castello
Youth Arts Ambassador | Tamir Bell
Excellence in Service to the Arts | The Arc of Winnebago, Boone & Ogle Co
