News Release: Nominations due for McKnight Distinguished Artist award
February 4, 2009 - The McKnight Foundation invites nominations for its 12th Distinguished Artist Award.
The McKnight Foundation invites nominations for its 12th Distinguished Artist Award, in recognition of individual artists with enduring and exceptional careers. Nominations for the $50,000 award must be postmarked by March 31, 2009.
The award honors one artist each year for having made a substantial impact on the arts in Minnesota over a lifetime. A panel representing a variety of artistic disciplines considers first and foremost the quality of each nominated artist's work. Other considerations include the artist's commitment to his or her field, and ways the artist has enriched life for audiences and the community.
"Each year, the Distinguished Artist award gives us the opportunity to honor the contributions of one outstanding member of Minnesota's community of lifelong artists," says McKnight president Kate Wolford. "The award celebrates the achievements of that entire community — artists who have, over decades, laid the foundation for the wealth of arts activity we enjoy today."
After reviewing the nominations, the panel formally recommends one candidate to McKnight's board of directors. Artists in all disciplines are eligible for nomination but may not apply for the award themselves. Although nominees must have worked in Minnesota much of their lives, they need not reside in Minnesota when they are nominated. The panel will not consider those from Minnesota who achieved most of their success elsewhere. No posthumous awards will be made. The recipient will be announced mid-year.
All submitted nominations are retained. Candidates who have not received the award will be considered again among nominees in subsequent years. It is not necessary to send another letter about someone who has been nominated, although career updates are welcome.
Previous awardees are:
Please send nominations in writing (no fax or email submissions) to:
McKnight Distinguished Artist Award
710 South Second Street
Suite 400
Minneapolis, MN 55401
Resumes and additional letters of support are welcome. For more information about the award, please visit the Arts program section of our website at www.mcknight.org, or call the Foundation at 612 333 4220.
ABOUT THE MCKNIGHT FOUNDATION
The McKnight Foundation seeks to improve the quality of life for present and future generations through grantmaking, coalition-building, and encouragement of strategic policy reform. Founded in 1953 and independently endowed by William and Maude McKnight, the Minnesota-based Foundation had assets of approximately $1.6 billion and granted about $99 million in 2008
Contact
Tim Hanrahan, Communications Director, 612-333-4220