RAAA
The 2026 Rockford Area Arts Awards will take place on Friday, March 6th at Rockford University’s Maddox Theatre. Tickets are now on sale. Don’t miss this annual celebration of arts and culture in the Rockford Region!
CAtegories
Symbol of Rockford
The Symbol of Rockford Award honors those who carry Rockford’s creative legacy into the world. As the highest distinction presented by the Rockford Area Arts Council, the award recognizes a current resident or accomplished alum whose extraordinary contributions, specialized expertise, or nationally recognized achievements have shaped the arts and cultural landscape. This award celebrates not only excellence but the enduring influence of Rockford’s creative spirit. A list of potential awardees is generated by the Awards Committee and the award is decided by the Committee; the Committee is composed of Rockford Region artists, arts/culture organization representatives, and regional professionals. This is the only award that is decided by the Awards Committee.
Distinguished Artist of the Year
This individual is recognized as distinguished in their discipline, having made a significant contribution to the Rockford Region through the arts, over their career (denoting time). This is an honorary position for one year, during which the individual will serve as a symbol and sometimes as an in-person arts ambassador for the Rockford Region.
Young Arts Ambassador
Recognizes an individual, between the ages of 13-18, who made a significant contribution to the Rockford Region through the arts in 2025. This is an honorary position for one year, during which the individual will serve as a symbol and sometimes as an in-person youth arts ambassador in the Rockford Region.
Visual Artist of the Year
Recognizes an individual visual artist who demonstrated significant achievement in, or contribution to, the Visual Arts in the Rockford Region in 2025.
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 Region in 2025.
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 Region in 2025.
Innovation in the Arts Award
Awarded to an individual, business, or organization whose work in the Rockford Region pushed the traditional boundaries of the creative sector by using new or emergent media, a new perspective on an old theme, or avant-garde integration in 2025.
Arts Educator of the Year
Awarded to a Rockford Region educator who has demonstrated exceptionalism in arts education either through a career of leadership and mentorship or through a specific student-led project in 2025.
Literary Excellence
Awarded to an individual, or agency, who has demonstrated exceptionalism in the literary arts through authorship, performance, and/or contribution to the overall literary community in the Rockford Region in 2025.
Placemaking + Spacemaking
Recognizes an individual, business, organization, public art installation, or event that enhanced life – neighborhoods, parks, public spaces, green spaces, etc – through the arts for Rockford Region residents in 2025.
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 Region in 2025.
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 Region in 2025.
In Memoriam
This award recognizes Rockford Region creatives who passed during 2025; a portion of the program will be dedicated to their memory. Please submit names, contact information, testimonials, and photos on our website.
Thank you to everyone who joined us for the 2025 Annual Rockford Area Arts Awards!
Previous years Arts Awards
2025
Arts Educator of the Year | Jillian Myers
Distinguished Artist of the Year | Brett Whitacre
Excellence in Service to the Arts – Individual | Victor Rivera
Excellence in Service to the Arts – Organization | J.R. Kortman Center for Design
Young Arts Ambassador | Nailah Brooks
Innovation in the Arts | Bob Schlehuber
Literary Excellence | Jenna Goldsmith
Performing Artist of the Year | Mychall Miller-Cornejo
Placemaking + Spacemaking | Maze Books
Production of the Year | SOMNIUM
Visual Artist of the Year | Laura Gomel
Crowning Achievement | Riverfront Museum Park and the Coronado Theatre
2024
Arts Educator of the Year | New Genres Art Space
Distinguished Artist of the Year | Nancie King Mertz
Excellence in Service to the Arts Award – Individual | Jennifer Kuroda
Excellence in Service to the Arts Award – Organization/Company |Maze Books
Innovation in the Arts Award | Rock & Roll Institute
Literary Excellence | Kimberla Lawson Roby
Performing Artist of the Year | Caitlyn Baylor & Meghan Baylor
Placemaking + Spacemaking | Domingos En El Parque
Production of the Year | Soar Awards
Visual Artist of the Year | Molly Carter
Young Arts Ambassador | Dice White
Lifetime Achievement | Jeff Hendry
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
