The Texas Commission on the Arts (TCA) has announced its call for nominations for the 2025 and 2026 Texas State Artists in 2D and 3D visual arts.
All Texas citizens are encouraged to submit a nomination. Self-nominations are accepted and individuals may nominate more than one artist for each of the awards. To qualify, nominees must be native Texans or five-year residents of the state. Candidates must have received recognition for success in their respective disciplines and critical reviews in state, regional, or national publications.
Past Texas State Artists include Michael Ray Charles and Diana Kersey (2024), Gaspar Enríquez and James Watkins (2023), Celia Álvarez Muñoz and Jesse Lott (2022), Annette Lawrence and Jennifer Ling Datchuck (2021), and Earlie Hudnall, Jr. and Gabriel Dawe (2020). Along with visual artists, TCA is accepting nominations for Poet Laureates and Texas State Musicians.
In a press release, Gary Gibbs, Executive Director of TCA, said, “We are fortunate to have many outstanding artists in Texas, and we anticipate receiving numerous qualified nominations. Being named a Texas State Artist is the Texas Legislature’s highest honor for an artist, and it brings new career opportunities and recognition from the arts community and the general public.”
TCA will review the nominations and provide a list of finalists to a selection committee. The committee, composed of members appointed by the Governor, Lieutenant Governor, and Speaker of the House of Representatives, makes the final selections. The awardees will be announced in Spring 2025.
The deadline to submit a nomination is Tuesday, October 15, 2024. Read more about the Texas State Artist program and submit your nomination via the TCA website.
