Texas Medal of Arts


The Texas Medal of Arts Awards is a biennial awards ceremony established in 2001 to honor natives or residents of Texas who have achieved excellence in the creative arts, as well as patrons who have provided significant support for the arts in the state. The awards are administered by the Texas Cultural Trust and are typically presented in Austin during a multi-day celebration that includes a gala dinner and an awards show.

History and criteria

The awards were founded to spotlight the power of the arts to enrich the state's economy and cultural heritage. Honorees are selected for their contributions in various disciplines, including film, music, literature, visual arts, theatre, dance, and architecture.
To be eligible, recipients must have been born in Texas or have completed a major body of work while living in the state.

Notable recipients

Since its inception, the Texas Medal of Arts has been awarded to numerous high-profile artists and entertainers. Notable past honorees include:Film/Television: Tommy Lee Jones, Sissy Spacek, Eva Longoria, Jamie Foxx, Matthew McConaughey, Jennifer Holliday, Richard Linklater, Dennis Quaid Music: Willie Nelson, Van Cliburn, Lyle Lovett, ZZ Top, Kenny Rogers, Boz Scaggs, Gary Clark Jr. Literary Arts: Sandra Cisneros, Lawrence Wright, Stephen Harrigan, Elizabeth Crook Journalism: Walter Cronkite, Dan Rather, Scott Pelley Visual Arts/Architecture: Robert Rauschenberg, Lake Flato, Trenton Doyle Hancock