2016 Cultural Awards Categories:
LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT: This award honors an organization, individual at an organization, or individual artist for their career-long body of work, especially on the occasion of a new phase of that work such as retirement, job switch, etc.
ORGANIZATION OF THE YEAR: This award honors a not-for-profit or for-profit cultural organization for its achievements in 2015.
INDIVIDUAL ARTIST OF THE YEAR: This award honors an individual artist in any discipline for their achievements in 2015.
RISING STAR: This award honors a relatively new organization, someone new in their position or organization, or a group or artist entering the next phase in their development.
SUPPORTER OF THE CULTURAL SECTOR: This award honors an individual or an organization outside the cultural sector for their work in directly aiding the cultural sector.
ADVOCATE FOR THE CULTURAL SECTOR: This award honors an individual or organization outside the cultural sector for their efforts to call attention to the importance of the cultural sector to Western New York.
UNSUNG HERO: This award honors an unpaid individual or group that has made a major impact on a cultural organization or the sector through their volunteer service.
ARTS INTEGRATION: This award honors a non-arts project, program, or initiative that has used arts and culture to significantly enhance its work.
We will also present the DEC Program of the Year and Cultural Ambassador Awards at the event, which are chosen by a panel made up of ASI Board Members and other community leaders.