By Michelle Kinsey—
MUNCIE, IN—This year, the Mayor’s Arts Awards is marking 10 years of celebrating Muncie’s vibrant arts community. But in order to honor all of the artists, arts advocates, arts educators, arts leaders and more, we need YOUR help!
Nominations are now open for the biennial 2025 Mayor’s Arts Awards, which recognizes artistic contributions to our cultural community.
“The Mayor’s Arts Awards honor the artists, creatives, makers, educators, cultural leaders, and organizations who fuel Muncie’s spirit and economy,” said Tania Said, Executive Director of Muncie Arts and Culture Council (MuncieArts). “Together arts and culture impact our health and well-being, economic growth, and make our city sustainable. Join us in recognizing everyone who drives our community forward through the arts and culture–nominate someone today!
The deadline for nominations is Monday, Sept. 1, 2025. Nominations can be submitted here.
The 2025 Mayor’s Arts Awards ceremony will be Friday, Sept. 19, 2025, at Muncie Civic Theatre.
“As we celebrate the 10th anniversary of the Mayor’s Arts Awards, we honor the remarkable talent, passion, and creativity that define Muncie’s vibrant arts community,” said Mayor Dan Ridenour. “Over the past decade, these awards have showcased the profound impact of our artists, cultural leaders, and makers—not only enriching our lives but also driving economic growth and innovation across our city. This milestone reminds us of the vital role the arts play in shaping a connected, thriving, and resilient Muncie. Together, let’s continue to support and celebrate the creative spirit that makes our community so extraordinary.”
What are the Mayor’s Arts Awards?
The Mayor’s Arts Awards, organized and hosted by the Muncie Arts and Culture Council (MuncieArts), are the most prestigious honors given by the city to individual artists, teachers, non-profit organizations, and patrons of the arts. The Mayor’s Arts Awards recognize the contributions to the cultural community by all visual, performing, and culinary artists, musicians, writers, poets, rappers, directors, producers, craftspeople, arts educators, arts patrons, arts professionals and volunteers, as well as organizations, institutions, government agencies, corporations, and businesses who work in or for the arts primarily benefiting the residents of Muncie. The goal of this program is to help cultivate greater visibility and understanding of the value of the arts, as well as grow new leadership and new patrons of the arts in Muncie.
Who Can Be Nominated?
Nominations are welcome for artists, advocates, supporters, or businesses in any arts discipline or category. Nominees should be dedicated to the arts in their field and should show a demonstrated commitment to their community, neighborhood, school, or the city of Muncie. Nominations can be made for a specific award category, but if a category is not specified by the nominator, the awards committee will make its best judgment as to which award category the nominee will be placed in.
The 2025 award categories are:
Arts Advocate—an individual or organization whose strong support of the arts has been ongoing through philanthropic and/or volunteer service
Arts Leader—an arts professional or organization who has demonstrated outstanding leadership, organizational stewardship, and partnership within the local arts community
Arts Educator—an individual whose achievements and contributions to arts education have been significant and far reaching
Corporate Arts Award—a business/corporation that shows exemplary support of the arts, artists, and arts organizations within the Muncie area
Artist in the Community—an individual visual, performing, or culinary artist, musician, writer, poet, rapper, director, craftsperson, etc. (in any discipline) recognized for artistic excellence and singular efforts in contributing to Muncie’s cultural vitality
Next Generation Artist—a working visual, performing, or culinary artist, musician, writer, poet, rapper, director, craftsperson, etc. (in any discipline) under the age of 40 who has demonstrated outstanding promise and commitment to the arts community
Muncie Maker Award—a local for-profit business owner who exemplifies the impact and vitality of Muncie’s creative economy
Lifetime Achievement Award—an individual or organization recognized for significant and sustained contributions to the field of arts and culture in the Muncie area
Nominee Eligibility:
- Nominees must reside in Muncie or Delaware County.
- Nominees must work in Muncie, produce the majority of their artistic work in Muncie, or make significant contributions to benefit the arts in Muncie.
- Self-nominations are not accepted (but you can find a friend to nominate you!)
- You CAN nominate someone who has been NOMINATED before. A list of all past nominees and winners is located here.
- You CAN nominate a group, collective, or team if they meet the requirements for the nomination and award category.
- You CAN’T nominate someone who has RECEIVED an award before, UNLESS you are now nominating them for the LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT Award.
All nominations must be submitted to MuncieArts by 11:59 p.m. Monday, Sept. 1, 2025
The nomination form and list of nomination packet requirements is available at MuncieArts.org. If you require a paper nomination form, please contact MuncieArts Executive Director Tania Said at director@munciearts.org.
The 2025 Mayor’s Arts Awards are made possible through support from the MuncieArts and the City of Muncie. Presenting Sponsor is The Community Foundation of Muncie and Delaware County. Award and Performance Sponsors include Destination Muncie, Downtown Development Partnership, and First Merchants Bank. Friend of the Arts Sponsors include Greater Muncie Chamber of Commerce. Additional sponsorship opportunities, from $250 to $2,500 are available at MuncieArts.org/2025-maa.
