Arts Alive Awards

Purpose: Summit Artspace's Arts Alive Awards celebrate and recognize contributions to local arts and culture, honoring gifted artists, art educators, and change-making advocates and volunteers.

Geographic Scope: Summit, Cuyahoga, Portage, Stark, and Medina counties in Ohio

Award Categories:

• Arts Alive Award (recognizes individuals or groups who give selflessly to advance arts and culture)
• Summit Artspace Champion (recognizes extraordinary and ongoing support for Summit Artspace's mission)
• Civic Leadership Award (recognizes long-term commitment to bringing arts and culture to citizens)
• Lifetime Achievement Award (recognizes individuals who strengthen arts and culture through decades of service)
• Outstanding Visual Artist Award (requires at least 5 years of professional or amateur work)
• Outstanding Artist in Dance (requires at least 5 years of professional or amateur work)
• Outstanding Artist in Theatre (requires at least 5 years of professional or amateur work)
• Outstanding Artist in Music (requires at least 5 years of professional or amateur work)
• Outstanding Literary Artist (requires at least 5 years of professional or amateur work)
• Emerging Artist Award (recognizes individuals with less than 5 years of experience showing outstanding potential)
• Arts Educator Award (recognizes elementary, middle school, high school, or university-level educators or private instructors)
• Collaborative Project Award (recognizes original projects illustrating collaboration to advance arts and culture)
• Community Outreach Award (recognizes individuals or groups helping bring voice to underrepresented artists)
• Diversity in the Arts Award (recognizes individuals, groups, organizations or projects honoring and showcasing diversity)
• Rising Arts Leader Award (recognizes individuals with less than 5 years of involvement in arts contribution, management, advocacy, or volunteering)
• IDEA Leader Award
• Arts Volunteer Award (recognizes individuals or groups who have volunteered significant time and skills)
• Special Service Award

Eligibility: Nominees must live in Summit, Cuyahoga, Portage, Stark, or Medina counties in Ohio. Different categories have specific requirements (e.g., 5+ years experience for most artist categories).

Application Process

1. Nominations: Anyone can nominate individuals and organizations for awards
2. Submit nomination form: Complete the Arts Alive Nomination Form with nominee information and supporting details
3. Deadline: Nominations deadline is typically May 1 (varies by year)
4. Award categories: Select from diverse categories listed in award criteria
5. Criteria: Each category has specific criteria that must be met (see overview for category details)

Required Materials:

• Nomination form (available on Summit Artspace website)
• Nominee information
• Description of achievements and contributions
• Evidence of meeting category-specific criteria

Submission: Forms available online at summitartspace.org