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 11:00 pm on August 31, 2026.
Nomination Categories
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 lifelong interest in, the arts. The nominee must be a current
resident of Vanderburgh County whose arts activities have had a 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.
Nominations for the 2026 Art Awards is now closed. Thank you!
