Some of our 2025 Missouri Arts Awards honorees: Individual Artist, Karen E. Griffin, Trumpetini | Creative Community, City of Mexico, My Fair Lady at Presser Arts Center | Arts Education, Springfield Regional Arts Council, Growing Up in the Arts program
Arts Organization, Saint Louis Art Fair, Royal Court Balloon Parade by Molly Balloons of Kansas City: costumed balloon artists Grant Andrae and Christy Shocklee with members of the team, photo by ProPhotoSTL

NOMINATE FOR THE 2026 MISSOURI ARTS AWARDS

CELEBRATING ARTS HEROES

Every year since 1983, through our annual Missouri Arts Awards, the Missouri Arts Council has honored our state’s arts heroes—people, organizations, and communities who have made profound contributions to the culture of Missouri.  Here are our 2025 heroes.

Are you, your organization, or your community an arts hero? Let us know! We welcome self-nominations in all categories. And for Philanthropy and Leadership in the Arts, you may also nominate someone else.

Categories

Arts Education | Individual or organization that has made significant contributions to arts education either through enhancing the education curriculum within the school system or through creating educational opportunities in the arts outside the school setting

Arts Organization | Outstanding organization actively producing, presenting, or serving the arts (nominations from organization’s leadership or staff only)

Creative Community | Community (municipality, village or town, business district, tax district, neighborhood association, etc.) that uses the arts to promote economic growth and/or to attract tourism, businesses, or residents

Individual Artist | Outstanding artist creating traditional/folk art, electronic media, literary, visual, or performing arts

Leadership in the Arts | Individual who has significantly influenced the arts as a leader

Philanthropy | Individual, organization, foundation, or business that has made significant donations to the arts

Who Is Eligible?

Individuals, organizations, and community nominees must be reside in Missouri to be eligible.

Past Missouri Arts Awards recipients are not eligible to be nominated. Review  the list of prior award recipients to make sure your nominee hasn’t already been honored. (Missouri Arts Council board members, staff, the selection committee, and their families are also not eligible.)

How to Nominate

Nominees may self-nominate in every category. This is recommended to avoid duplication of nominations and to ensure accuracy and completeness. Only in the Leadership in the Arts and Philanthropy categories will we accept external nominations, although we stilll recommend self-nominations. Multiple nominations will be combined, and nominees will be informed to ensure accuracy and consent. Make sure that the narrative and supplemental materials are tailored for the nomination category. When you nominate, click on the appropriate category in the form, and the checkbox will be selected. Click again to deselect. Choose only one category at a time.

Selection Process

The honorees are selected by an independent panel of distinguished representatives of Missouri’s arts community throughout the state. The panel’s choices are approved by the Missouri Arts Council board and announced in early November. The designated panel reserves the right to close an award category if nominations do not meet specified criteria.

For More Information

Contact Bob Madden, special initiatives coordinator, at 314-340-6851 or  bob.madden@ltgov.mo.gov.