The Polk Arts & Cultural Alliance is seeking nominations for the 2023 Polk Arts & Culture Awards.

Recognizing Outstanding Artists, Cultural Ambassadors, and Supporters of the Arts

Please Note

This is the page for the Annual Awards. If you would like to make a nomination for the Hall of Fame, please go HERE.

The Polk Arts & Cultural Alliance is soliciting nominations for individuals and/or organizations who have significantly contributed to the arts and cultural community in Polk County during the past year (2022). These awards are ANNUAL awards that serve to honor people and organizations within Polk County that are advancing the arts & cultural community through dedicated service.

Nominators should be aware of the following:

• Nominees should be working in Polk County
• Nominees should be reflective of recent/current work that best reflects broad efforts to advance arts and cultural opportunities in Polk County
• Nominators do NOT have to make a nomination in all of the categories listed below
• Award winners will have $1000 given to their respective organizations in their name

Nomination Timeline

Award Nominations are open from April 1 – April 20, 2023

Award Categories

Arts/Cultural Organization of the Year
Honors an arts and/or cultural organization for their work in their respective communities AND recognizes outreach efforts that promote Polk as an arts and/or cultural destination. Awardees could include nonprofit organizations, creative industry organizations, or local municipalities that meet the expectations of this award.

Arts/Cultural Philanthropist of the Year
This award is presented to an organization or individual whose philanthropic support of arts and cultural programming has advanced the status of Polk County as an arts/cultural destination

Volunteer of the Year
Honors an arts/cultural volunteer for their work within a specific organization – especially recognizes work that reaches beyond the specific organization for which they served in an effort to assist multiple arts and/or cultural organizations.

Arts/Cultural Educator of the Year
This award recognizes a local arts or cultural educator for their work with students. Awardees may be public/private school teachers, higher-ed teachers, or private art teachers.

Rising Star Award
Honors an individual who works to advance the arts/cultural community – specifically honors those who seeks to expand Polk’s reputation as an arts/cultural destination. Awardees may be volunteers or paid staff of local arts and cultural organizations.

The Nomination Form can be found HERE

The Polk Arts & Culture Hall of Fame Gala presented by CORE Wealth Advisors is set for October 17, 2023 at Bonnet Springs Park in Lakeland. Tickets for the event will be available in August.