Spark Awards

Spark Spotlight: Michele Agosto, Trailblazer of the Arts

Michele Agosto is the winner of this year's Spark Award for Trailblazer of the Arts, an honor that recognizes an individual for their efforts to call attention to the importance of the arts through their work in advocacy, arts administration, curating, or promotion. This individual can be at any level in their career or involvement [...]

Spark Spotlight: Michele Agosto, Trailblazer of the Arts2020-11-16T08:24:54-05:00

Spark Spotlight: The Children’s Guild Foundation Autism Spectrum Disorder Center, Arts Integration

The Children’s Guild Foundation Autism Spectrum Disorder Center at Oishei Children’s Hospital is the winner of this year's Spark Award for Arts Integration. The Center provides multidisciplinary evaluation, diagnosis, care, and support for families with autism spectrum disorders. In addition to the medical work done by the team at the center, the resources and programs [...]

Spark Spotlight: The Children’s Guild Foundation Autism Spectrum Disorder Center, Arts Integration2020-11-16T08:26:24-05:00

Spark Spotlight: Councilmember Joel Feroleto, Supporter of the Cultural Sector

Councilmember Joel Feroleto, winner of this year's Spark Award for Supporter of the Cultural Sector, serves on the Buffalo Common Council representing Delaware District and volunteers as a Board member for the Bair Foundation and Save the Michaels Organization. Born and raised in Buffalo, New York, he attended Canisius College and the University at Buffalo [...]

Spark Spotlight: Councilmember Joel Feroleto, Supporter of the Cultural Sector2020-11-16T08:27:12-05:00

Spark Spotlight: Beth Pederson, Unsung Hero

Beth Pedersen, winner of this year's Spark Award for Unsung Hero, has practiced art for decades. Beth's work explores nature and pertinent environmental issues through a variety of materials and mediums, from oil painting to print-making, which she expresses through both abstraction and representation. She has exhibited extensively regionally, nationally, and internationally. Once a realist [...]

Spark Spotlight: Beth Pederson, Unsung Hero2020-11-16T08:33:28-05:00

Spark Spotlight: Vincent O’Neill, Lifetime Achievement

[Please note that ASI is closely monitoring the outbreak of COVID-19 and its potential impact on this year's Spark Awards on May 13. In the meantime, we still feel it's important to spotlight the important work of our many honorees.] Vincent O'Neill is the winner of this year's Spark Award for Lifetime Achievement, an award [...]

Spark Spotlight: Vincent O’Neill, Lifetime Achievement2023-08-31T15:34:50-04:00

Winners and Finalists of the 7th Annual Spark Awards

We are very excited to announce the 13 winners and finalists of the seventh annual Spark Awards, presented by M&T Bank. The awardees will be honored at a ceremony on Wednesday, May 13 at Forbes Theater (500 Pearl) in Buffalo, where guests will enjoy food, drinks, entertainment, a silent auction, and more. Tickets will go [...]

Winners and Finalists of the 7th Annual Spark Awards2020-11-16T08:34:58-05:00

2020 Spark Awards Nominations Are Now Open

Nominations are now open for the 2020 Spark Awards, our annual celebration where we recognize outstanding individuals and organizations in the Western New York arts and cultural community. Every year, ASI honors leaders and heroes within our region for their dedication, talent, and critical impact on the sector. Award categories for the 2020 Spark Awards [...]

2020 Spark Awards Nominations Are Now Open2023-08-31T15:41:07-04:00

Muhammad Zaman Wins the 2019 Spark Award for Artist of the Year

Arts Services Initiative of Western New York has named Muhammad Zaman the winner of the 2019 Spark Award for Artist of the Year. Muhammad was honored at the sixth annual Spark Awards on Wednesday, May 22 at Hotel Henry. “I feel so honored and thankful,” Muhammad said. “This award means the world to me because [...]

Muhammad Zaman Wins the 2019 Spark Award for Artist of the Year2019-05-24T15:26:18-04:00

Sugar City Wins the 2019 Spark Award for Arts Organization of the Year

Arts Services Initiative of Western New York has named Sugar City the winner of the 2019 Spark Award for Arts Organization of the Year. The arts collaborative was honored at the sixth annual Spark Awards on Wednesday, May 22 at Hotel Henry. “Winning the award was a big surprise for us,” said Curtis A. Guy, [...]

Sugar City Wins the 2019 Spark Award for Arts Organization of the Year2019-05-24T12:38:00-04:00

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