The McKnight Foundation is pleased to announce that nominations are now open for the Distinguished Artist Award, with two important updates.
First, nominations are now accepted on a rolling basis—meaning you can submit a nomination at any time throughout the year. By removing the nomination window, we hope to make the process easier and more inclusive for nominators, allowing them to submit their nominations when ready.
Please note: Nominations received by May 1st will be considered for the current year’s award cycle. Those submitted after that date will automatically be reviewed for the following year.
We welcome and encourage nominations from across the state of Minnesota and 11 Native Nations that share its geography.
New for 2026: Nominations Will Carry Over
Starting in 2026, nominations will carry over to future years. You’re welcome to renominate someone each year if you wish, but the number of nominations a person receives does not increase their chances of being selected.
There’s also no need to organize “campaigns” of multiple nominators—the selection committee bases its decision on the breadth and impact of an artist or culture bearer’s artistic and cultural practice, not the quantity of nominations.
If you’ve nominated someone before 2026 and would like them to be considered in future rounds, please submit a nomination form that will carry forward.
About the McKnight Distinguished Artist Award
Lub xyoo McKnight Tus Txiaj Ntsig Zoo Tshaj Plaws lees paub cov kws ua yeeb yam thiab cov kab lis kev cai uas tau cog lus rau lub neej rau kev ua yeeb yam thiab kev coj noj coj ua uas nyob hauv zos, cheeb tsam, thiab / lossis tseem ceeb hauv tebchaws. Cov kws ua yeeb yam thiab cov neeg ua yeeb yam no tau xaiv los ua lawv lub neej thiab kev ua haujlwm hauv Minnesota, yog li ua rau peb lub xeev muaj kev coj noj coj ua ntau dua. Ua ntej thiab qhov tseem ceeb tshaj plaws, lawv tau tsim cov duab kos duab zoo nkauj uas qhia txog lawv qhov kev xav tshwj xeeb thiab txawv tshaj plaw.
McKnight Distinguished Artists kuj tau tshoov siab rau lwm tus neeg ua yeeb yam thiab kev coj noj coj ua, tau txais kev qhuas los ntawm cov neeg tuaj saib, cov neeg saib xyuas, cov neeg thuam, thiab lwm tus kws tshaj lij txuj ci, thiab qee qhov tau tsim thiab txhawb nqa cov koom haum ua yeeb yam.
Nco tseg: Cov ntawv thov tsuas yog lees txais hauv online. Tsis muaj tus kheej nominations. Yog tias koj muaj lus nug txog kev xaiv tsa, thov email msalas@mcknight.org.
