ST. JOSEPH, MO— Nominations are now open for the 2023 Mayor’s Awards for the Arts, presented by Mayor John Josendale and the Allied Arts Council.
The Mayor’s Awards for the Arts are designed to honor and celebrate people and organizations that contribute to the vibrancy of the arts and/or increase access to arts experiences in St. Joseph, Missouri. We are seeking nominations for artists, arts organizations, advocates, educators, and corporate citizens that contribute to the arts. A panel of arts leaders from across the state selects the award recipients.
“St. Joseph is known for its outstanding programs of visual and performing arts, arts education, and advocacy, and as mayor, I am pleased to continue the Mayor’s Awards for the Arts, which recognize arts leaders in our community who work to bring arts and people together,” said Josendale.
Mayor’s Awards Categories
Artist of the Year – recognizes an established individual artist (in any discipline) for artistic excellence
Arts Educator of the Year – recognizes an outstanding contribution to arts education instructor at the K-12 or postsecondary level
Youth Artist – recognizes artist 19 years of age or under who has demonstrated talent and achievement in one or more artistic disciplines
Achievement in the Arts – recognizes an organization or business that excels in supporting and/or enhancing the arts through contributions of time, talent or funding
Individual Leadership – recognizes an individual, business, or civic leader who has greatly contributed to one or more arts or cultural organizations
Outstanding Volunteer – recognizes contributions to one or more arts organizations within the past year
Nominations are due in the office by 5 p.m. June 8, 2023. Submit application to cathy.ketter@stjoearts.org or mail to Allied Arts Council, 118 South 8 Street, St. Joseph, MO 64501.
The David H. Morton Memorial Fund for the Arts applications are now closed. The next round of applications will be available in February 2024.
Download the David H. Morton Memorial Fund for the Arts application HERE.
Each year, the David H. Morton Memorial Fund for the Arts Trustees host a Kentucky Derby Party to raise funds to support grant recipients’ work. For more information contact Ginger at Morton Reed Counts Briggs and Robb LLC.
The David H. Morton Memorial Fund for the Arts was established in 1986 to pay tribute to Mr. Morton’s leadership in the St. Joseph arts community. Memorials are accepted at any time and are solicited to commemorate a special event, or just to promote the arts.
The fund can award up to $2,000 to any public or private organization that has received or applied for tax-exempt status. Projects that may be considered for the grant include, but are not limited to, dance, theater, visual arts, media, music, literature, multi-discipline, arts-related conferences, architecture, and exhibitions.
Criteria include the need for financial support, the potential for creating new audiences or new artistic experiences for audiences, the quality of programming, and community-wide impact.
RECENT MORTON FUND AWARDEES
Dance Arts Performing Company Fund – The Nutcracker
Performing Arts Association – Tito Puente Jr. Workshop & Performance
Joseph Community Chorus – Connecting Community Through Song: Gospel Overload –
