The Office of the Mayor and the Springfield Area Arts Council announce the opening of the nomination period for the 21st Mayor’s Awards for the Arts.  These awards recognize outstanding talent in and dedication to the arts in Sangamon and Menard counties, the area served by the Springfield Area Arts Council.   The eight award categories include Individual Visual Artist; Individual Performing Artist; Individual Literary Artist; Arts Organization; Arts Volunteer; Arts Educator; Arts Student; and Business Committed to the Arts. 

The deadline for nominations is 5:30 P.M. on Thursday, March 31, 2022.  Nomination forms for the Mayor’s Awards for the Arts are available now at:

  • reception desks in Springfield’s Municipal Center East and West;
  • the Hoogland Center for the Arts box office;
  • public libraries in Athens, Chatham, Petersburg, Pleasant Plains, Rochester,  

Sherman, Springfield, and Williamsville;

They also can be requested via e-mail (programs@springfieldartsco.org).

There is no cost.

The awards selection committee, appointed by Springfield’s mayor James Langfelder, will review the nominations and select the award recipients in the designated categories.  The recipients will receive artwork created by a commissioned Sangamon or Menard county artist.

Since the first presentation in 1985, 99 awards have been presented to individuals, organizations, and businesses.

The awards, created by professional photographer Rich Saal, will be presented at a ceremony on Monday, May 2, 2022, at 5:30 P.M. in Theater Three at the Hoogland Center for the Arts.  The public is invited to attend that ceremony and the reception following. 

For additional information, please call the Arts Council office (217-753-3519).