The Southbury Record

The Southbury Arts and Culture Alliance (SACA) announces that applications are now being accepted for the 2025 “Artist of the Year” award. This award was created to celebrate and elevate the diverse talents of our local artists, from painters and potters to carvers, quilters, poets, and musicians.  

The award seeks to recognize and support creators and makers who demonstrate a high level of artistry and innovation, as well as inspire others, bring people together, and help grow the arts in Southbury. By showing off the work of exceptional artists, SACA hopes to support more great art in the future.

Application requirements and forms are now available on the SACA website at www.southburyartsandculturealliance.org.  Residents can nominate an artist and artists can also nominate themselves. All nominations must be received by Thursday, September 15, 2025. Finalists will be notified by Saturday, November 1, 2025.

Artists are eligible who have lived or worked in Southbury and bordering towns (Woodbury, Newtown, Roxbury, Middletown, and Oxford) for at least one year. The artist should have done something in the arts locally in the past year, such as a show, a class, or an event.

Any type of artist can be nominated, including visual (painters, illustrators, graphic artists, fiber artists), performing (musicians, dancers, singers), and literary (poets, writers, story-tellers) artists.

The artist’s work should be creative, original, and show a high level of technical skill. The artist’s work should also engage with and enrich the community, whether through interactive projects, educational initiatives, cultural activities, or social commentary.

To nominate an artist, nominators should include a short biography of the artist, one or more letters of recommendation stating why this artist should be named Artist of the Year, and a minimum of three photos, video links, or files showing the artist’s work. Additional materials such as news stories, reviews, testimonials, or thank-you notes may also be included, along with information on any community activities or outreach that the artist has participated in.

The Southbury Arts & Culture Alliance (SACA) is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to promoting, inspiring, and supporting arts and cultural activities throughout the Southbury region. Formed in 2025, SACA aims to foster community engagement, equitable access to the arts, and vibrant cultural expression by facilitating public art initiatives, educational programs, and creative collaborations. Through partnerships with local organizations, artists, and residents, SACA serves as a catalyst for a thriving and inclusive cultural landscape.

For more information, visit https://www.southburyartsandculturealliance.org/ or email info@southburyartsandculturealliance.org.