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 5th Annual Celebration of the Arts party on April 6, 2019 from 6-10 p.m. at the Bartlett Country Club in Olean.
The Award Categories are:
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 2018.
Outstanding High School Senior: This award recognizes an outstanding high school senior graduating in 2019, 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. A $250 scholarship accompanies this award, courtesy of Hedley Brook Agency and Christie's Boutique.
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 Program of the Year: Recognizes the achievement, dedication and creativity of one the many NYSCA Decentralization program recipients (individual or group) from Allegany, Cattaraugus or Chautauqua counties for 2018.
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 2018.
Outstanding High School Senior: This award recognizes an outstanding high school senior graduating in 2019, 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. A $250 scholarship accompanies this award, courtesy of Hedley Brook Agency and Christie's Boutique.
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 Program of the Year: Recognizes the achievement, dedication and creativity of one the many NYSCA Decentralization program recipients (individual or group) from Allegany, Cattaraugus or Chautauqua counties for 2018.
Past Award Winners
2018 Arts & Cultural Award Winners
Distinguished Artist of the Year: Elliott Hutten, Hog Shed Studio Pottery (Cattaraugus County)
Outstanding High School Senior: Tioga Simpson, Archbishop Walsh High School (Cattaraugus County)
Excellence in Arts Education: Amy Powers, Alfred-Almond Central School (Allegany County)
Volunteer of the Year: Mark Burr, Hollywood Theater of Gowanda (Cattaraugus County)
Regrant Program of the Year: Trenton Lutes, Artist in Community Grant (Chautauqua County)
Thomas Barnes Lifetime Achievement Award - Marcia Gallineaux-Hubert, Dance Arts (Cattaraugus County)
2017 Arts & Cultural Award WInners
Distinguished Artist of the Year: Debra Eck (Chautauqua County)
Emerging Talent: Bobby Sader (Cattaraugus County)
Volunteer of the Year: Betsy Cashing (Allegany County)
Supporter of the Arts & Cultural Sector: Peg Bothner (Cattaraugus County)
Regrant Program of the Year: American-Scandinavian Heritage Foundation (Chautauqua County)
Thomas Barnes Lifetime Achievement Award - Carson Waterman (Cattaraugus County)
2016 Arts & Cultural Award Winners
Distinguished Artist of the Year: Barbara Fox (Cattaraugus County), US Mint coin design 2016
Emerging Talent: Austyn Taylor (Allegany County), ceramic sculptor, 2015 STB Honorable Mention
Volunteer of the Year: Jeff McMullen (Cattaraugus County)
Supporter of the Arts & Cultural Sector: Lisa Lantz, Alfred University (Allegany County)
Regrant Program of the Year: Olean Theater Workshop (Cattaraugus County )
The Lifetime Achievement Award: Robert Taylor (Olean Public Library), retiring June 2015
2015 Arts & Cultural Award Winners
Distinguished Artist of the Year: Jennifer Miller, Featherdust Studios (Cattaraugus County), Duck Stamp Winner 2015
Emerging Talent: Kimberly Merrill, Hollywood Theater/Midsummer Night Opera (Cattaraugus County)
Volunteer of the Year: Susan Mackay, North Shore Arts Alliance (Chautauqua County)
Supporter of the Arts & Cultural Sector: The Derwick Family, Fox Financial (Cattaraugus County)
Regrant Program of the Year: Chase Angier, “As the Air Moves Back From You” performance installation (Allegany County )
The Lifetime Achievement Award: John Whitney, Founder & Director of Southern Tier Symphony (posthumous)
Distinguished Artist of the Year: Elliott Hutten, Hog Shed Studio Pottery (Cattaraugus County)
Outstanding High School Senior: Tioga Simpson, Archbishop Walsh High School (Cattaraugus County)
Excellence in Arts Education: Amy Powers, Alfred-Almond Central School (Allegany County)
Volunteer of the Year: Mark Burr, Hollywood Theater of Gowanda (Cattaraugus County)
Regrant Program of the Year: Trenton Lutes, Artist in Community Grant (Chautauqua County)
Thomas Barnes Lifetime Achievement Award - Marcia Gallineaux-Hubert, Dance Arts (Cattaraugus County)
2017 Arts & Cultural Award WInners
Distinguished Artist of the Year: Debra Eck (Chautauqua County)
Emerging Talent: Bobby Sader (Cattaraugus County)
Volunteer of the Year: Betsy Cashing (Allegany County)
Supporter of the Arts & Cultural Sector: Peg Bothner (Cattaraugus County)
Regrant Program of the Year: American-Scandinavian Heritage Foundation (Chautauqua County)
Thomas Barnes Lifetime Achievement Award - Carson Waterman (Cattaraugus County)
2016 Arts & Cultural Award Winners
Distinguished Artist of the Year: Barbara Fox (Cattaraugus County), US Mint coin design 2016
Emerging Talent: Austyn Taylor (Allegany County), ceramic sculptor, 2015 STB Honorable Mention
Volunteer of the Year: Jeff McMullen (Cattaraugus County)
Supporter of the Arts & Cultural Sector: Lisa Lantz, Alfred University (Allegany County)
Regrant Program of the Year: Olean Theater Workshop (Cattaraugus County )
The Lifetime Achievement Award: Robert Taylor (Olean Public Library), retiring June 2015
2015 Arts & Cultural Award Winners
Distinguished Artist of the Year: Jennifer Miller, Featherdust Studios (Cattaraugus County), Duck Stamp Winner 2015
Emerging Talent: Kimberly Merrill, Hollywood Theater/Midsummer Night Opera (Cattaraugus County)
Volunteer of the Year: Susan Mackay, North Shore Arts Alliance (Chautauqua County)
Supporter of the Arts & Cultural Sector: The Derwick Family, Fox Financial (Cattaraugus County)
Regrant Program of the Year: Chase Angier, “As the Air Moves Back From You” performance installation (Allegany County )
The Lifetime Achievement Award: John Whitney, Founder & Director of Southern Tier Symphony (posthumous)