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The Distinguished Artist Award
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.
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?
Only letters are accepted. Fax, email, and phone submissions are not accepted. There is no nomination form. In two to four pages, nominations should describe the candidate's career and its impact, paying particular attention to artistic achievements. Although anyone may submit a nomination, individuals may not nominate themselves.
Resumes and additional letters of support are welcome and encouraged. Documentation of the nominee's work is helpful but not necessary.
Nominations are retained for three years. Candidates who do not receive the award in the year they are nominated will be reconsidered in each of the following two years. It is not necessary to send another letter about someone whose nomination is still active, although career updates are welcome.
Who will choose the Distinguished Artist?
A panel representing a variety of artistic disciplines and well versed in the history of the arts in Minnesota will review nominations and recommend a candidate to the Foundation's board of directors. The 2008 selection committee for the award includes Philip Bither, Emilie Buchwald, Graydon Royce, Stewart Turnquist, and Dale Warland.
The McKnight Distinguished Artist is honored at a private ceremony in the fall of each year.
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