Spokane Arts is excited to host the annual Arts Awards—a celebration of the arts community in Spokane! Join us on Saturday, September 24, at Lucky You Lounge for live music, performances, poetry, plus the presentation of the Arts Awards!
Once again, you have the opportunity to help us keep this event accessible and inclusive by purchasing a Sponsor an Artist ticket! There are a limited number of free artists tickets now available on our ticketing page. (If you have questions about the free tickets for artists or if they are showing as sold out, email Shantell to be added to the wait list for additional artist tickets, shantell@spokanearts.org)
The Arts Awards recognize the accomplishments of creatives, arts and cultural organizations, and local individuals committed to enriching our community through the arts. The four awards categories reflect the values of Spokane Arts: Leadership, Collaboration, Imagination and Inclusion. In each category, nominated artists, volunteers, neighborhoods, educators, organizations, community leaders, or donors are selected by a panel of Arts Commissioners and community arts representatives from the pool of community-nominated candidates. Emerging or established, young or old, on the edge or in the center – Spokane Arts strives to celebrate and recognize the wealth of participation in Spokane’s creative ecosystem.
Nominations for the Arts Awards closed September 7. Thank you to everyone across the community who submitted nominations! Thank you to Rogue Heart Media, who is working hard on producing videos to celebrate all the nominees!
Questions about the Arts Awards event? Email shantell@spokanearts.org
2022 Arts Awards and Arts Month designs by Vanessa Swenson
Thank you!
The 2022 Spokane Arts Awards were held at Lucky You Lounge on Saturday, September 24! Thank you to all who made it possible and everyone who attended!
Thank You to Our Sponsors!
Sincere gratitude to our sponsors of the 2022 Arts Awards! Thank you for your support of arts and culture year-round in our community.
Presenting sponsor: Washington State Department of Commerce
Media Sponsor: The Inlander
Photo Booth Sponsor: Houdini Interactive
Nomination Categories
Leadership Award – Leadership in our arts community can be demonstrated in many ways, including through positive and consistent advocacy, being a role model for others in the arts, a venture culturalist, or an excellent stewardship of resources.
Inclusion Award – Inclusion in our arts community can involve enacting just and diverse community, building bridges across divides, creating proactive approaches to accessibility and inclusion.
Collaboration Award – Collaboration in our arts community can include creating and supporting partnerships, sharing resources, finding shared solutions, or bringing new meaning to the phrase “democratic participation”.
Imagination Award – Imagination in our arts community can be shown through an energizing and inspiring presence, jaw-dropping creativity, a sky’s-the-limit approach, and excellent execution of innovative ideas.
Nominees & Winners
Congratulations to the 2022 Arts Awards Leadership nominees!
This inspiring group has led the way in forging new paths to keep the arts thriving through the challenges of the past year! Spokane Arts is excited to honor these community-nominated artists, organizations, and arts advocates. Learn more about each nominee in this beautiful video from Rogue Heart Media.
Leadership Nominees
Matthew Blatman, Rekovr Art
Kelly Brown, Manito Art Festival
Kingston Prescott, LuckyFest
T.S The Solution, Panoramic Dreams Recording Studio
Yvonne A.K. Johnson, Spokane Valley Summer Theater
Congratulations to the 2022 Arts Awards Inclusion nominees!
This amazing group has created new and exciting opportunities for connection and made spaces for often unheard voices to be heard. Spokane Arts is excited to honor these community-nominated artists, organizations, and arts advocates. Learn more about each nominee in this beautiful video from Rogue Heart Media.
Inclusion Nominees
Atomic Threads
Indian Youth Club of Spokane
Marten Norr
My Turn Theater
Spectrum Center
Spokane Ensemble Theatre
Jeremy Whittington
Congratulations to the 2022 Arts Awards Imagination nominees!
This creative group has kept us captivated with their big ideas and beautiful work! Spokane Arts is excited to honor these community-nominated artists, organizations, and arts advocates. Learn more about each nominee in this beautiful video from Rogue Heart Media.
Imagination Nominees
Gatieh Nacario
Stephen Pitters
Misty Grace
Julia Todderud
Nanette Cloud
Congratulations to the 2022 Arts Awards Collaboration nominees!
This brilliant group has not only filled the past year with creative work but shown us new ways to connect in our community! Spokane Arts is excited to honor these community-nominated artists, organizations, and arts advocates.
Collaboration Nominees
Chris Hansen
M.A.D Co.Lab
James Pakootas
Julie Shepard
2021 Awards
Winners of the 2021 Spokane Arts Awards were announced publicly though the Arts Awards event was cancelled due to covid-19. Nominees gathered for a happy hour networking event at the Lucky You Lounge instead. The Arts Awards announcement kicked off Arts Month, the month-long celebration of arts and culture in Spokane coinciding with national arts and humanities month in October. Congratulations to all of the 2021 winners and nominees!
Discover the Event2020 Awards
Winners of the 2020 Spokane Arts Awards were announced at the annual event on Saturday, September 26, which was held as a live-streamed broadcast from Lucky You Lounge. The Arts Awards serve as the kick-off for Arts Month, the month-long celebration of arts and culture in Spokane to coincide with national arts and humanities month in October. View the full broadcast for free on the Spokane Arts YouTube here!
Discover the Event2019 Awards
On September 28, 2019, Spokane Arts celebrated the arts community in Spokane by honoring nominees with awards in Leadership, Inclusion, Imagination, and Collaboration. The event was hosted at Lucky You Lounge. Click through to view our 2018 nominees and winners.
Discover the Event2018 Awards
On September 29, 2018, Spokane Arts celebrated the arts community in Spokane by honoring nominees with awards in Leadership, Inclusion, Imagination, and Collaboration. The event was hosted by the Montvale Event Center. Click through to view our 2018 nominees and winners.
Discover the Event2017 Awards
On November 4, 2017, Spokane Arts celebrated the arts community in Spokane by honoring nominees with awards in Leadership, Inclusion, Imagination, and Collaboration. The event was hosted in the McGinnity Room of the Spokane Club. Click through to experience the event.
Discover the Event