This week, Texas Cultural Trust (TCT) announced that honoree nominations for the eleventh biennial Texas Medal of Arts Awards (TMAA) are now open. More than ever before, the power of the arts has been magnified as an emotional salve, a way to connect, a universal language, an expression of current events and a symbol of hope. The 2021 TMAA will reflect and look ahead to the role the arts play in our lives and our communities, while celebrating the creative excellence, exemplary talents and outstanding contributions by Texans in selected categories. The honoree nomination form is available on the TCT website and is due by Wednesday, July 15. (Texas Cultural Trust, 2020)

The signature event is scheduled for Tuesday and Wednesday, February 23–24, 2021, at various venues across Austin. Chairs will include Texas Cultural Trust 2019 TMAA Honoree and Texas native Brandon Maxwell, TCT Immediate Past Board of Directors Chair Linda LaMantia and TCT Board of Directors Executive Committee Member Judy Robison. Maxwell, who is the Awards’ youngest recipient, is the first to be recognized for fashion design. He launched his eponymous ready-to-wear label in 2015 in New York City and has since gone on to create awarded collections and custom creations. LaMantia, from Laredo, Texas, joined the Texas Cultural Trust board in 2009, and with her family, has supported arts and education for decades. Robison, former chair and board member of the Trust since 2008, from El Paso, has been a lifetime supporter of the arts and culture with extensive experience working in education and arts advocacy.

Since 2001, TCT has presented 117 medals to Texas leaders and luminaries who have achieved excellence through their creative talents, as well as those whose generosity has opened doors to artistic opportunity for Texans of all ages. Culminating in a star-studded celebration, the TMAA raises substantial financial support, visibility and awareness about the power of the arts to enrich a child’s education and enhance our state’s economy and cultural heritage.

Nominees are considered from the following categories: architecture, arts education, arts patron (individual and corporate), dance, design, film, lifetime achievement, fashion design, literary arts, media/multimedia, music (performance and songwriter), television, theater arts and visual arts.

Texas Cultural Trust is a 501c3 nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting and increasing access and awareness for the arts across the state. Programs of the Texas Cultural Trust include the Texas Medal of Arts Awards, Art Can, Texas Young Masters, Texas Women for the Arts, Partners in the Arts, and Arts Access. Texas Cultural Trust efforts are amplified by its partners who are instrumental in the success of leading a cohesive voice for the arts in education, advocacy, and economic impact in Texas, spotlighting the artistic excellence of our state.

“I was honored to be a Texas Medal of Arts Award recipient last year and knew I wanted a greater role for the 2021 event. I take pride in helping determine the new class of honorees from our great state who will be joining us in February. These honorees, and the arts as a whole, provide an important role to the healing of our communities, and it is a privilege to be in their company.” – Brandon Maxwell