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October 20, 2026: Thirty-one individuals, organizations, and businesses will be recognized for their contributions to the arts at the 2026 Mayor’s Awards for the Arts on Wednesday, November 18, at 5:30 p.m. at the Hoogland Center for the Arts, 420 S. 6th St., Springfield. Hosted by the Springfield Area Arts Council (SAAC) in partnership with the City of Springfield, the biennial ceremony celebrates the people whose creativity, leadership, and dedication strengthen the cultural life of Sangamon and Menard counties.
The nominees represent the breadth of the region’s arts community, from established artists and emerging young creatives to educators, volunteers, businesses, and organizations creating opportunities for others. Their work helps make the arts accessible, supports creative expression, and enriches the communities where people live, work, and gather.
“The Mayor’s Awards give us a chance to recognize the people who have been doing the work of keeping the arts vibrant in our communities,” said Bella Szabo, Executive Director of the Springfield Area Arts Council. “Artists need places to work and perform. Young people need teachers and opportunities. Organizations need volunteers, audiences, and resources. Our cultural communities need people willing to keep opening doors for one another. We are proud to recognize our exceptional art community alongside the City of Springfield.”
Established in 1985, the Mayor’s Awards for the Arts recognize outstanding contributions across eight categories: Arts Educator, Arts Organization, Arts Volunteer, Business Supportive of the Arts, Exceptional Arts Student, Individual Literary Artist, Individual Performing Artist, and Individual Visual Artist. Winners were selected by a five-member panel composed of: Amanda Brown, Communications Director for the City of Springfield; Timothy Crawford, award-winning playwright, director, actor, and recipient of the 2024 Mayor’s Awards for the Arts for Individual Performing Artist; Jace Kim, Board Director of the Springfield Area Arts Council, multi-instrumentalist, conductor, and Doctoral Student of Musical Arts; Geri Mollohan, a legislative assistant in the Illinois Senate President's Office for State Senator Mike Simmons; and Austin Wells, a visual artist, curator, art educator at Riverton High School, and recipient of the 2024 Mayor’s Awards for the Arts’ special recognition.
The ceremony will gather artists, educators, volunteers, organizations, students, and community partners at the Hoogland Center for the Arts, which received a 2024 Mayor’s Award for the Arts in the Arts Organization category. As a home for performances, exhibitions, and community gatherings, the Hoogland itself is an example of the arts organizations that help sustain opportunities for artists and audiences alike. The handcrafted awards presented to this year’s recipients were created by Rosie Gale, owner of Ceramics Made by Rosie.
The evening’s Route 66 theme draws inspiration from the centennial of the Mother Road and its place in the region’s history. Guests are invited to embrace the accompanying Route 66 After Dark dress theme, with festive attire ranging from cocktail and evening wear to vintage Americana, western details, mid-century glamour, or a bold accessory inspired by the road.
During the ceremony, the Springfield Area Arts Council will share a preview of a new organizational identity that will officially launch in January. The change reflects an expanding vision for the organization’s role in the region: supporting artists and cultural organizations, increasing access to the arts, building partnerships, investing in creative opportunity and helping to position the Springfield area as a place where arts and culture are a part of everyday civic life.
“For 50 years, this organization has helped connect people to the arts,” Szabo said. “We are proud of that history. We are also thinking seriously about what the next 50 years require from us, and how we can be an even stronger partner to artists, organizations, and communities throughout this region.”
Information about attending the ceremony, sponsorship opportunities, and the Mayor’s Awards for the Arts is available at springfieldartsco.org/mayors-awards-for-the-arts.
