- 6:00 – 7:00 pm – Social Hour: Music, Spirits, and Heavy Hors D’ oeuvres
- 7:00 – 9:00 pm – Awards Program – in the Rockford Theatre
- 9:00 – 11:00 pm – After Party – Dancing and DJ
Lifetime Achievement
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. 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
Recognizes an individual, between the ages of 13-18, who made a significant contribution to the Rockford Region, through the arts, in 2024. This is an honorary position for one year, during which the individual will serve as a youth 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 2024.
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 2024.
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 2024.
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 use of new or emergent media, a new perspective on an old theme, or avant-garde integration in 2024.
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 2024.
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 2024.
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 2024.
Placemaking + Spacemaking
Recognizes an individual, business, organization, public art installation, or event that enhanced life for Rockford Region residents, through the arts, in 2024.
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 2024.
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 2024.
In Memoriam
This award recognizes creatives who passed during 2024; a portion of the program will be dedicated to their memory. Please submit names, contact information, testimonials, and photos on our website.
Previous years Arts Awards
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
