Arts & Cultural Awards 

The Arts & Cultural Awards were created by the Tri-County Arts Council to recognize and celebrate the talents of artists and supporters of the arts throughout Allegany, Cattaraugus and Chautauqua counties. Nominations are open to the public at large to submit. Then a panel of community members, Arts Council Board members and staff review the nominations and select the winners, who will be recognized at the 6th Annual Celebration of the Arts party on April 25, 2020 from 6-10 p.m. at the Woodside Tavern on the Range.

Award Categories

​Thomas Barnes Lifetime Achievement: Named after longtime Arts Council board president, this award celebrates the career of an individual artist, organization, individual at an organization, or individual artist who, among other distinctions, has demonstrated particular commitment to his or her work throughout a long career and has made important contributions regionally, nationally or internationally in his/her field, especially at a milestone marker, such as retirement, job change, posthumous recognition, etc.

Distinguished Artist of the Year: This award honors an individual artist in any discipline for their creative excellence and superior accomplishments in 2019.

Outstanding High School Senior: This award recognizes an outstanding high school senior graduating in 2020, who will be continuing their education at any college or university, and pursuing studies in dance, literature, fine arts, graphic design, music, or theater. A $250 scholarship is also given with this award, courtesy of the Hedley Brook Agency and Christie's Boutique. 

Excellence in Arts Education: This award honors an arts educator for their work in providing arts instruction that helps to  guide the next generation of artists in our region, and cultivating lifelong supporters of the arts. 

Volunteer of the Year: Many of the region’s arts and cultural organizations rely on volunteers to put on the show! This award recognizes the outstanding volunteer efforts of an unpaid individual or group that has had a major impact on the arts and culture sector.

Regrant Programs of the Year: Recognizes the achievement, dedication and creativity of three of our NYSCA regrantees (one from each county will be selected - Cattaraugus, Allegany and Chautauqua county).

Past Award Winners

2019 Arts & Cultural Award Winners
Distinguished Artist of the Year: Peter Jones (Cattaraugus)
Outstanding High School Senior: Logan Funden (Cattaraugus)
Excellence in Arts Education: Kathryn Black (Cattaraugus)
Volunteer of the Year: Cassandra Bull, Art for Rural America (Allegany)
Regrant Program of the Year: Jamestown Concert Association, Community Arts (Chautauqua)
Thomas Barnes Lifetime Achievement Award: Patricia Kaake (Allegany)

2018 Arts & Cultural Award Winners
Distinguished Artist of the Year: Elliott Hutten, Hog Shed Studio Pottery (Cattaraugus)
Outstanding High School Senior: Tioga Simpson, Archbishop Walsh High School (Cattaraugus)
Excellence in Arts Education: Amy Powers, Alfred-Almond Central School (Allegany) 
Volunteer of the Year: Mark Burr, Hollywood Theater of Gowanda (Cattaraugus)
Regrant Program of the Year: Trenton Lutes, Artist in Community Grant (Chautauqua)
Thomas Barnes Lifetime Achievement Award - Marcia Gallineaux-Hubert, Dance Arts (Cattaraugus)

2017 Arts & Cultural Award WInners
​Distinguished Artist of the Year: Debra Eck (Chautauqua)
Emerging Talent: Bobby Sader (Cattaraugus)
Volunteer of the Year: Betsy Cashing (Allegany)
Supporter of the Arts & Cultural Sector: Peg Bothner (Cattaraugus)
Regrant Program of the Year: American-Scandinavian Heritage Foundation (Chautauqua)
Thomas Barnes Lifetime Achievement Award - Carson Waterman (Cattaraugus)
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2016 Arts & Cultural Award Winners
Distinguished Artist of the Year: Barbara Fox (Cattaraugus), US Mint coin design 2016
Emerging Talent: Austyn Taylor (Allegany), ceramic sculptor, 2015 STB Honorable Mention
Volunteer of the Year: Jeff McMullen (Cattaraugus)
Supporter of the Arts & Cultural Sector: Lisa Lantz, Alfred University (Allegany)
Regrant Program of the Year: Olean Theater Workshop (Cattaraugus)
Lifetime Achievement Award: Robert Taylor, Olean Public Library (Cattaraugus)
 
2015 Arts & Cultural Award Winners
Distinguished Artist of the Year: Jennifer Miller, Featherdust Studios (Cattaraugus), Duck Stamp Winner 2015
Emerging Talent:  Kimberly Merrill, Hollywood Theater/Midsummer Night Opera (Cattaraugus)
Volunteer of the Year: Susan Mackay, North Shore Arts Alliance (Chautauqua)
Supporter of the Arts & Cultural Sector: The Derwick Family, Fox Financial (Cattaraugus)
Regrant Program of the Year: Chase Angier, “As the Air Moves Back From You” performance installation (Allegany)
Lifetime Achievement Award: John Whitney, Founder & Director of Southern Tier Symphony (posthumous)