Heather Adams, Executive Director of Arts Missoula, emphasized the importance of the arts in the community. The event has grown significantly since its inception in 1999, now featuring multiple awards across different categories to honor local artists in Missoula.
Nominations for the awards are submitted by community members, with nominees meeting specific criteria for each category. A subcommittee of the Arts Missoula board reviews the nominations and selects the winners.
This year’s award categories included Individual Artist, Arts Educator, Business Support for the Arts, Cultural Vision, New to the Zoo, and the John Engen Cultural Ambassador award.
The event honored individuals like musician John Floridis, Parkside Credit Union, artist Craig Menteer, Michael Rohd from the University of Montana, Nancy Labbe from Big Sky High School, and Heidi Starrett as the John Engen Cultural Ambassador.
Each winner shared their unique contributions to the arts community in Missoula, showcasing the diverse talent and dedication present in the city.