Awards ->Arizona Arts Award May 9, 2008 Achievement Awards Arizona Arts Award Buffalo Exchange Arts Award Igor Gorin Memorial Award Arizona Arts Award George and Mary Bartol established the Arizona Arts Award in 1986 to encourage and promote individuals whose work is identified as being of the “highest quality and excellence.”  Five artists are nominated each year by an anonymous group of professionals, and each receives a gift of $1,000.  A second group of anonymous panelists reviews the work of the nominees and selects the recipient of a $24,000 fellowship.  The individuals who participate in the nomination and selection process can only serve one year in either capacity.  This has led to a wide diversity among the nominees, which has enriched the process.  Over the years, artists have inquired as to how they can be considered for the award.  The response to that question is simple: continue producing your art, always striving for the “highest quality and excellence.” This award is the largest of its kind in Arizona.The 2006 nominees were introduced at the Foundation’s annual Celebration of the Arts event held Nov. 15, 2005 at the Tucson Museum of Art.  In alphabetical order, they are: Charles Alexander Poet, publisher, and book artist Barbara Cully Poet   Susan Gamble Public Artist and Sculptor Jeff Haskell Pianist, arranger and conductor Lawrence Lee Painter and Sculptor The 2006 Arizona Arts Award recipient is Charles Alexander. Lindsay Spilker, a dancer in Anne Bunker's studio Edward McCain's exhibit. Photo: Edward McCain  Past Recipients   Date Recipient Nominees 2005 Anne Bunker Dan Bates Suzette Battan, Ph.D. Edward McCain Luci Tapahonso 2004 Barclay Goldsmith Namoli Brennet Toni Press-Coffman Tim Fuller Jory Hancock 2003 Eriks Rudans Marsha Bagwell Charles Bowden Susan Claassen Mark Rossi 2002 Simon Donovan Catherine Eyde Matt Finstrom Matt Mitchell Lisa Otey 2001 Ned Schaper (Matt Bevel) Lisa Bowden Alison Hawthorne Deming Steven Derks Anne Simmons-Myers 2000 Tom Philabaum Hector Ayla Sinclair Browning Jose Galvez Nancy Tokar Miller 1999 Homero Ceron Robert H. Colescott Katherine Josten Elaine Romero Albert Tucci 1998 Barbara Grygutis Susan B. Conaway Patricia Preciado Martin Carol McLaughlin Kevin Osborn 1997 Maurice Grossman Paula Fan Nancy D. Solomon Todd Walker Barbea Williams 1996 Peggy Doogan Thomas Bredlow Gail Hewlett Fox Joy McGrew Andrew Rush 1994 Hassan al Falak Susan Claassen Barbara Kingsolver Nancy Mairs Jim Waid 1993 Silviana Wood Charlotte Bender Rebecca Neil Byrkit Werner Iten Tom Miller 1992 Charlotte Adams Gary Benna Sheryl Oden Andrew W. Polk Gibb Windahl 1991 Robert J. Sabal Keith Johnson David Rife Laura Rosenfield Eriks Rudans 1990 Johna Cronk Cynthia Miller Rubin F. Garcia Jeff Haskell Felipe S. Molina 1989 Alfred Quiroz William Lesch R. Carlos Nakai Eric Jon Nichols Shahrokh Rezvani 1988 Stephen Shipman Luis Bernal Mary Beth Cabana Michael Cajero Victor Masyesva, Jr.