Rockford Area Arts Awards
The Rockford Area Arts Council held its annual Rockford Area Arts Awards on Thursday, March 10, 2022, in-person and live streaming. The Arts Awards were hosted at the Rockford Theatre at the Rockford Woman’s Club and featured an inspiring testimonial video from Giulyana Gamero, the City of Rockford Youth Poet Laureate, a poetry reading from Christine Swanberg, the City of Rockford Poet Laureate, live performances from Evon Sams and his trio, and a spontaneous performance from Dorothy Paige Turner, this year’s Lifetime Achievement Honoree. The Awards were hosted by George Davis and co-hosted by Mayor Tom McNamara and County Chair, Joe Chiarelli. It was a night to remember!
After many challenges over the past couple of years due to the pandemic, it was a joy to be together again to celebrate local talent. The Arts Awards celebrate those who have contributed to the enrichment of our Rockford community; nominees included individual artists and arts and culture organizations that demonstrated innovative, imaginative, and outstanding achievement in the arts in 2021. Congratulations to all nominees, awardees, and honorees!
Rockford Area Arts Awards Awardees & Honorees
- Youth Arts Ambassador – Juwayria Zahurullah
- Visual Artist of the Year – Jenny Mathews
- Public Art of the Year – Rockford Women’s Suffrage Centennial Plaza & Committee
- Placemaking – Rockford Area Convention & Visitors Bureau
- Performing Artist of the Year – Robert Rub
- Innovation in the Arts – 317 Art Collective
- Excellence in Service to the Arts – Stars of Light at Stepping Stones
- Distinguished Artist of the Year – Fatherless Print Posse
- Arts Educator of the Year – Brian Hierstein
- Lifetime Achievement Award – Dorothy Paige Turner
