2017 Neddy Artist Awards

Neddy Artist Awards is an annual Puget Sound regional artist award program supported by the Behnke Foundation and housed at Cornish College of the Arts. Established in 1996 by the Behnke family, the program honors the art, accomplishments and community involvement of Seattle painter and educator Robert E. "Ned" Behnke (1948-1989). Each year, two $25,000 unrestricted awards are given—one in painting and one in any medium or combination of media grounded in the visual arts (referred to as "Open Medium")—to professional artists living and working in the greater Puget Sound region. Six finalists will also receive $1,500.

Eligibility: Artists must be full-time residents of Washington State, residing in the greater Puget Sound region (Island, Jefferson, King, Kitsap, Mason, Pierce, Skagit, San Juan, Snohomish, Thurston and Whatcom counties) and must be U.S. citizens. Artists must be 18 years of age or older, currently active with an ongoing pattern of producing and presenting work. Previous recipients are ineligible. Previous finalists are eligible after a one-year hiatus. Full-time core faculty or trustees at Cornish College of the Arts are ineligible. Students currently enrolled in undergraduate or graduate degree programs are ineligible.

Award criteria focus on demonstrated commitment to and ongoing development of one's artistic vision, and demonstrated engagement with the world around them through their art practice. A panel of three regional arts professionals will review all applications and select eight finalists (four painters and four open medium artists). A single juror from outside the region will then visit the eight finalists' studios and select one artist in each category to receive the 2017 award. Winners and finalists will be notified by telephone within two weeks of the studio visit. Work sample requirements: 10-15 images, 0-6 audio files, 0-6 video files (10-15 total samples). Application deadline: April 24, 2017 at 10:59 p.m. PST. Finalists will be announced in May 2017, with studio visits and award announcements in July 2017.