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
L'annuale Premio McKnight per l'artista illustre riconosce gli artisti e i portatori di cultura che hanno assunto un impegno permanente verso pratiche artistiche e culturali significative a livello locale, regionale e/o nazionale. Questi artisti e portatori di cultura hanno scelto di vivere e lavorare in Minnesota, rendendo così il nostro stato un luogo culturalmente più ricco. Innanzitutto hanno prodotto un'arte creativamente incisiva che riflette il loro particolare e straordinario punto di vista.
I McKnight Distinguished Artists hanno anche ispirato altri artisti e portatori di cultura, guadagnato il plauso del pubblico, dei mecenati, dei critici e di altri professionisti dell'arte, e alcuni hanno fondato e rafforzato organizzazioni artistiche.
Nota: le domande sono accettate solo online. Nessuna autocandidatura. In caso di domande sul processo di nomina, inviare un'e-mail msalas@mcknight.org.
