Background

In 1983 Art League Houston created the Texas Artist of the Year award as a dynamic and informative annual project documenting Texas art history. Each year, Art League Houston honors those whose work or patronage has had a significant and positive impact on contemporary visual art in Texas. Through this program, tribute is paid to outstanding visual artists in Texas. Since its inception, twenty-two outstanding artists and three exceptional patrons have been awarded the Texas Artist of the Year.

Members of the Art League Houston Board of Directors and volunteer art professionals recommend and review candidates annually to select the artist whose qualifications best meet the selection criteria.  

Texas Artist of The Year Criteria

The Texas Artist of the Year Committee considers nominations of artists varying in style, technique, media and imagery. To qualify for the Texas Artist of the Year Award, an Artist must comply with a number of criteria, including:

• Artist's professional career as an artist shall span more than twenty years

• Artist shall be over the age of 45

• Artist shall have works in the permanent collection of one or more museums, universities or colleges

• Artist shall have been published in one or more books, periodicals,
  reviews, etc.

• Artist shall have been included in one or more of the following: an
  invitational museum show, a university or college exhibition, and/or art organization exhibition (other than Art League Houston)

• Artist's principal residence shall be in the state of Texas for the past five years

• Artist should have donated services or skills to the community, state, or have been a teacher, lecturer, demonstrator