Nominations are OPEN. Submissions are due FRI 12/4.
Nominations are OPEN. Submissions are due FRI 12/4.
TomWirt Award
The Tom Wirt Award, named for our founder, was established in 2019 to recognize outstanding local citizens for their commitment to building community through the arts. Tom understood the power of a thriving arts hub sharing resources and support to strengthen the community. In that spirit, HCA recognizes an area resident whose work has uplifted the arts ecosystem.
Nominations for the 20256Wirt Award are now open!. The award will be presented at a special event on Saturday 1/23/27 10am - 12 noon. The HCA Board of Directors reviews the nominees and makes the final selection.
To nominate someone who has given their time and talents to building a stronger arts community, please complete the form on this page.
Past Recipients:
2019: Tom Wirt
2020: Corey Stearns
2021: Greg Jodzio
2022: Kay Johnson
2023: Valerie Mackenthun
2024: Holly Dapper
2025: Jenna McFeely & Jayson Wall
2026: ???
We also accept nomination by mail. Please provide answers to all questions from the form and send them to:
Wirt Award Nomination
Hutchinson Center for the Arts
P.O. Box 667
Hutchinson, MN 55350
Enjoy this video filmed in 2019 to learn more about The Wirt Award.
FRON T ROW: Tom Wirt (2019) & Kay Johnson (2022)
BACK ROW: Holly Dapper (2024), Corey Stearns (2020), Jayson Wall (2025), Jenna McFeely (2025) & Valerie Mackenthun (2024)