Wirt Award
The Wirt Award was established in 2019 to recognize outstanding local citizens for their commitment to building community through the arts. The Wirt Award is named after Tom Wirt, one of several visionaries who helped bring the Hutchinson Center for the Arts to life. Tom understood the power of sharing resources and using the arts to strengthen the community. The result is a thriving arts hub with a range of vibrant groups helping to entertain and inspire artists and audiences.
Nominations for the 2024 Wirt Award are not yet open. A committee consisting of Art Center Board Members review the nominees and make the final selection. The recipient of this annual award is presented with a commissioned work of art at our Annual Meeting. To nominate a local citizen you believe has given their time and talents to building a stronger community through the arts, please complete the form on this page by December 30th, 2024.
Past Recipients:
2019: Tom Wirt
2020: Corey Stearns
2021: Greg Jodzio
2022: Kay Johnson
2023: Valerie Mackenthun
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
15 Franklin Street SW
Hutchinson, MN 55350
Enjoy this video filmed in 2019 to learn more about The Wirt Award.