Nominations are open for the 2026 EVPL Foundation Art Awards. The awards will recognize individuals, groups, businesses, projects, and institutions that have made significant contributions to the arts in Southwestern Indiana. Winners in all categories will be presented at the In the Stacks event on Friday, November 13, 2026, at EVPL Central. Finalists in each category will be announced in advance and will receive two free tickets to the In the Stacks event.
Questions? Email the Arts at EVPL Team at arts@evpl.org.
Nominations are due by 7:00 pm on August 14, 2026.
Mayor’s Art Award – This highly prestigious honor is given to an individual whose contributions to the arts have had an exceptional impact on the community. Consideration is given to evidence of long-standing support of, or life-long interest in, the arts. The nominee must be a current resident of Vanderburgh County whose arts activities have had significant impact on the City of Evansville.
Visual Art Award – This award recognizes an exceptional candidate from the visual arts discipline.
Performing Art Award – This award recognizes an exceptional candidate from the performing arts discipline.
Literary Art Award – This award recognizes an exceptional candidate from the literary arts discipline.
Culinary Art Award – This award recognizes an exceptional candidate from the culinary arts discipline.
Young Artist Award – This award recognizes a rising high school junior or senior in the 2026-2027 school year who displays exceptional aptitude in an artistic discipline.
Art Educator Award – This award recognizes an exceptional educator who directly influences and engages students of any age through the visual, literary, culinary, or performing arts.
Art Project Award – This award recognizes a project that utilized the arts to advance community, economic development, or quality of life goals or initiatives in the 2025 calendar year.
The Arts at EVPL, sponsored by the Evansville Vanderburgh Public Library Foundation, reflects the library’s commitment to cultivating curiosity by creating wonder.
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Evansville, Indiana 47713
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All EVPL locations will be CLOSED on Friday, June 19, for Juneteenth. But our digital resources are available 24/7!