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Awards of Excellence
ABOUT
This award recognizes remarkable Mexican Americans, Chicano/a/e/x, and Latino/a/e/x individuals or groups who have demonstrated utmost artistic excellence or distinguished service, leadership, and dedication to the cultural arts of Austin, TX. Established in 2009, the full list of past award recipients may be viewed here.
NOMINATION SUBMISSION DEADLINE
Submit nominations by completing this form by MAY 06, 2024. Nominations may be submitted by residents of Austin and the Greater Austin Metropolitan area.
NOMINATION ELIGIBILITY
Individuals or groups from any artistic discipline whose work has made a significant impact to the Latina/o/x/e cultural arts of Austin or the Greater Austin Metropolitan Area may be nominated. No self-nominations will be accepted.
Note: City of Austin employees and officials may not submit nominations nor be nominated.
NOMINATION INSTRUCTIONS
Submit no more than (2) nominees per category. You must complete this form from beginning to end for each person or group you are nominating.
Submit information on nominees, such as detailed work history, recognitions, awards, reviews, etc. You may add links to websites. Note: Our selection committee may only award points on what is submitted.
NOMINATION CATEGORIES
Select the BEST category for your nominee as applicable. You may select up to two categories.
The Arts
Those currently working as a professional artist including: visual arts, dance, music, theater, radio, TV, film, performing arts, and history. Know a great arts administrator? Consider the Service Award category instead.
Emerging Artist
Those who have demonstrated artistic excellence as a beginner to mid-career artist of any age (but may also include youth).
Service
Those who have demonstrated outstanding service as a volunteer, employee, or professional in arts administration, community-based organizations, and more in the cultural arts.
Arts Educator
Those who have demonstrated unparalleled commitment in education in our community in the cultural arts.
Lifetime Achievement
Those who have demonstrated a lifetime of passion and dedication to the cultural arts.
Posthumous Award
Those who in their lifetime made a significant contribution to the cultural arts.
Past Awards of Excellence Recipients: 2009-2023
2023
Jacqueline Olivier - Emerging Artist
Serena Tijerina - Emerging Artist
Raul Garza – The Arts
Roj Rodriguez – The Arts
Bertha Rendon Delgado - Service
Monica Araoz- Arts Educator
Zita V. Vázquez – Arts Educator
Paul Saldaña- Lifetime Achievement
Dr. Roén Salinas – Lifetime Achievement
Yolanda Sanchez – Lifetime Achievement
Farah Rivera – Lifetime Achievement (posthumous)
Henry Gonzalez – Lifetime Achievement (posthumous)
VIEW THE 2023 AWARDS OF EXCELLENCE CEREMONY ON YOUTUBE
2021
Ana Maciel, Service
Dr. Maggie Rivas-Rodriguez, Service
Bobbie Garza-Hernandez, Lifetime Achievement
Dr. Angela Valenzuela, Lifetime Achievement
Jose Pasco, Emerging Artist
Fany Macias, Emerging Artist
Lydia Cdebaca Cruz, Arts Educator
Dr. Tracey Flores, Arts Educator
Mery Godigna-Collet, The Arts
Federico Archuleta, The Arts
*The entire 2021 Awards of Excellence ceremony is available to watch below:
VIEW THE 2021 AWARDS OF EXCELLENCE RECORDING
2019
John Estrada, Emerging Artist
Leticia Urieta, Arts Educator
Ender Martos, Visual Art
Ire'ne Lara Silva, Literary Art
Carrie Rodriguez, Music
Luis Guerra, Lifetime Achievement
2018
Lesly Reynaga, Emerging Artist
Dr. Emilio Zamora, Service
Nancy Flores, Media Arts
Fidencio Duran, Visual Arts
Ruben Ramos, Music
Martha P. Cotera, Lifetime Achievement
2017
Tomas Salas, The Arts
Edgar Yepez, Arts Educator
Hector Miranda, Emerging Artist
Gloria Mata-Pennington, Lifetime Achievement
Enrique Cruz, Patronage
2016
Liliana Wilson, Visual Arts
Tomas Medina, Music
Toni Bravo, Dance
Hector Galán, Film
Rupert and JoAnn Reyes, Theater
Michael Anthony Garcia, Multidisciplinary
Nora Comstock, Patronage
Council Member Renteria, Service
Gerardo Arellano, Emerging Artist
Roberto Mendoza, Arts Education
Sylvia Orozco, Lifetime Achievement
2015
Jaime Salvador Castillo, Emerging Artist
Paloma Mayorga, Emerging Artist
Mario José Troncoso, Emerging Artist
Frank Rodriguez, Service
Rene Renteria, Service
Dr. Andrés Tijerina, Lifetime Achievement
2014
Ezekiel “Zeke” Robert Castro, Lifetime Achievement
Eugenio del Bosque, Service
Mary Gonzalez-Reyna, Music
Rodolfo “Rudy” Mendez, Theater & Dance
Cynthia Pérez, Service
Ishmael Soto, Visual Arts
José Treviño, Visual Arts
Tiarra Girls, Emerging Artist
Telemundo Austin, Patronage
2012
Claudia Zapata, Service
Alfredo Estrada, Patronage
Anthony Ortiz Jr., Emerging Artist
Austin Latino Theater Alliance, Arts
Raul Valdez, Lifetime Achievement
Manuel “Cowboy” Donley, Lifetime Achievement
Johnny Degollado, Lifetime Achievement
2011
Latinitas, Service
Gavin Garcia, Patronage
Luis Ordaz, Emerging Artist
Sam Z. Coronado, Arts
Maria F. Salinas, Lifetime Achievement
2009
Simon Orta, Service
About Pétalos
Robert Mezquiti's Pétalos is a permanent art installation at the ESB-MACC that serves as an award wall in which members of the Mexican-American Community are honored. Pétalos is a series of petals, each representing an equal part of our cultural fabric. Each individual petal honors a member of our community who has contributed significantly through service or art and holds a place for those who will continue to shape our culture in the future. Pétalos embodies the potential of infinity- only possible through the collection of continuous equal parts.
