PRESS RELEASE - Arts Commission Announces Reimagined Art Awards For2025

Nominations open through December 31st for artists and arts supporters from Port Townsend and Jefferson County.

PORT TOWNSEND – The Port Townsend Art Awards, a program of the Port Townsend Arts Commission (PTAC), is now open for nominations. The awards honor notable works of art, artistic achievements, and arts events to celebrate those who have contributed to the arts in Port Townsend and East Jefferson County. Award winners are chosen based on nominations submitted by community members.

Individual artists, businesses, patrons, educators, notable art-related events, and artistic achievements from individuals and organizations are all eligible for nominations. Nominations are due by December 31, 2025, with an Awards Ceremony held on the evening of February 27, 2026, location and exact time to be announced.

The Port Townsend Art Awards are a new take on the Angel and Patron of the Arts Awards, which have been given to artists and arts supporters by PTAC almost every year since 1999. The updated format will honor three to five local artists, cultural producers, or arts patrons based on their impact on the arts in our community.

“These reimagined awards reflect how deeply the arts are woven into the fabric of Port Townsend,” said Alexis Arrabito, chair of the Port Townsend Arts Commission and member of the Arts Awards Planning Committee. “By recognizing several honorees each year, we’re able to celebrate the community’s wide range of artists, educators, and supporters.”

Nominations will be assessed against the following criteria:

• Is uniquely Port Townsend/East Jefferson County;
• Shows continued success;
• Has a tangible connection to the local arts community;
• Promotes tourism/culturalism;
• Fosters education;
• Presents strong nomination materials;
• Is publicly nominated;
• Represents a broad array of the arts community: performance, music,  supporters/advocates, visual arts;
• Is submitted by the deadline

Nominations will be juried by PTAC members. As a volunteer advisory board that provides input to Port Townsend City Council, PTAC is made up of Port Townsend residents who have an interest in and connection to the arts.

“I am pleased to support the Arts Commission as they launch this exciting new way to honor the artists and arts community that make this place remarkable,” says Katy Goodman, the City’s Arts and Culture Coordinator, and staff liaison to PTAC. “There is no limit to the number of people who have shaped the arts experience here in incredible ways. PTAC has been really thoughtful about a more inclusive format that celebrates many different contributions while still making the award special.”

The City encourages everyone interested in celebrating the arts to nominate the people or organizations that have made Port Townsend and East Jefferson County a better place through their creative efforts, vision, and patronage. Nominations can be made here: https://citygrants.fillout.com/t/x82b48yZtNus

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Information about the Port Townsend Art Awards, including the scoring rubric, is available here: 

The Port Townsend Arts Commission has open positions. An application to serve is here: https://cityofpt.us/bc/webform/boards-commissions-application or contact http://mailto:artscomm@cityofpt.us with questions.