The 2016 Neddy Artist Awards

The Neddy Artist Awards, established in 1996 by the Behnke family, honor the art, accomplishments and community involvement of Seattle painter and teacher Robert E. "Ned" Behnke (1948-1989). Cornish College of the Arts took stewardship of the awards program in 2011, expanding its impact through an accompanying series of lectures, programs and activities. The Neddy Artist Awards are among the largest professional artist awards available in the State of Washington, providing two annual unrestricted gifts of $25,000 and six unrestricted gifts of $1,500 to artists living and working in the Puget Sound region.

There are two award categories each year: Painting and Open Medium. Recipients must demonstrate artistic distinction through an established body of work and a commitment to their practice. Award criteria include demonstrated commitment to and ongoing development of one's artistic vision, and demonstrated engagement with the world through art practice. Eligible applicants must be U.S. citizens and 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), be 18 years of age or older, and be currently active with an ongoing pattern of producing and presenting work. Students currently enrolled in degree programs are ineligible. Previous $25,000 award recipients cannot reapply, but previous finalists receiving the $1,500 prize are eligible to reapply.

Applications must be submitted online by April 17, 2016 at 10:59 p.m. PST. Work sample requirements include a minimum of 10 and maximum of 15 total samples, with up to 15 images, 6 audio files, and 6 video files. A panel of three regional arts professionals will review applications and select eight finalists (four in each category). A national juror will conduct studio visits in late July and select two recipients of $25,000 awards. The remaining six finalists receive $1,500 awards. All eight artists' work will be featured in a group exhibition in Autumn 2016, and individual documentary videos will be produced for each artist. Contact [email protected] with questions.