2026

The Artist of the Year Spark Award honors an individual creative in any artistic discipline or cultural expression whose work, achievements, and community impact have made a meaningful mark on Western New York since 2025. This year’s nominations recognized artists not only for what they create, but for the ways their work brings people [...]

The Spark Awards have always been about more than a single moment of recognition. Over the years, the Spark Awards have helped shine a light on the many different people, ideas, and contributions that make Western New York’s creative community so unique. This year, as we celebrate a new generation of Spark Awardees, we’re [...]