Distinguished Artist

​McKnight Distinguished Artist Award

The 2013 McKnight Distinguished Artist is theater artist Wendy Lehr.

The McKnight Distinguished Artist Award recognizes a Minnesota artist for artistic excellence as well as significant impact on the state's cultural life over several decades. One artist is honored with this $50,000 award each year.

Nominations for next year's Distinguished Artist Award are due by March 31, 2014.

What is the purpose of the award?

The award celebrates the achievements and contributions of a generation of artists who, individually and collectively, have laid the foundation for the wealth of arts activity Minnesotans currently enjoy. Although these artists have been working in the state throughout their lives, their role in Minnesota's vital artistic tradition, as well as their own accomplishments, often are overlooked. In recognizing them, the award will help document Minnesota's cultural history.

The Distinguished Artist Award is the newest component of the Foundation's longstanding support for individual artists. The Foundation has provided fellowships for artists since 1982. Currently, McKnight Artist Fellowships are awarded in 12 disciplines. Although these fellowship programs are open to artists of any age or career level, they tend to serve a younger group.

Who is eligible?

Artists in all disciplines—including ceramics, dance, film, literature, music, theater, and visual arts—whose careers have made a substantial impact on the arts in Minnesota may be nominated. Artists must have worked in Minnesota over a span of decades, although they need not reside in Minnesota when nominated. Those from Minnesota who achieved their primary successes elsewhere, however, are not eligible. No one may receive the award more than once. No posthumous awards will be made.

How are artists nominated?

If you know of an artist that meets the criteria above, we invite you to send your nomination via email to Kristen Marx, arts program administrator, at kmarx@mcknight.org.

Nominations are retained. Candidates who do not receive the award in the year they are nominated will be reconsidered in subsequent years.

Who chooses the Distinguished Artist?

A panel representing a variety of artistic disciplines and well versed in the history of the arts in Minnesota reviews nominations and recommends a candidate to the Foundation's board of directors. The selection committee for the award includes Philip Bither, Emilie Buchwald, Graydon Royce, Stewart Turnquist, and Dale Warland.

When is the Distinguished Artist announced?

Once the panel has made its selection and the awardee has been notified, the Foundation issues a press release and posts an announcement on its website. The McKnight Distinguished Artist is honored at a private ceremony each year.