Nominations are reviewed by an independent volunteer selection committee of community members. Committee members assign points to each nominee based on the following criteria, with a possible total of 100 points.

ACE Award Selection Criteria

CATEGORY DESCRIPTION: An award presented to an educator for their exemplary work in guiding the next generation of artists in our region and nurturing lifelong supporters of the arts.
  • Extent to which the nominee embodies the qualities described in the category. (40 pts.)
  • Significance of contribution to arts education. (20 pts.)
  • Breadth and/or depth of the population impacted by their contribution. (20 pts.)
  • Degree of creativity and/or innovation. (20 pts.)
CATEGORY DESCRIPTION: A Wichita County business that demonstrates leadership, commitment, and vision in developing exemplary alliances with arts and culture organizations. The award recognizes a business for creating or supporting outstanding initiatives with arts and culture organizations within the past two years. This support may come in the form of time, participation, or in-kind or financial contribution.
  • Extent to which the nominee embodies the qualities described in the category. (40 pts.)
  • Significance of contribution to or partnership with the arts. (40 pts.)
  • Breadth and/or depth of the population served by contribution or partnership (20 pts.)
CATEGORY DESCRIPTION: An individual or creative business that produces or creates something unique and meaningful. This may include artists, designers, crafters, and other creative professionals who use their creative skills to bring ideas to life.
  • Extent to which the nominee embodies the qualities described in the category. (40 pts.)
  • Significance of contribution(s) to the community. (20 pts.)
  • Breadth and/or depth of the population impacted by their contribution. (20 pts.)
  • Degree of creativity and/or innovation. (20 pts.)
CATEGORY DESCRIPTION: A working artist in Wichita County who elevates arts and culture through outstanding vision, leadership, and creativity in the last 12 months. All disciplines and levels of experience are eligible.  
  • Extent to which the nominee embodies the qualities described in the category. (40 pts.)
  • Significance of contribution(s)/achievement(s) to the community. (20 pts.)
  • Breadth and/or depth of the population impacted by their contribution. (20 pts.)
  • Degree of creativity and/or innovation. (20 pts.)
CATEGORY DESCRIPTION: Presented to a nonprofit art and/or cultural organization in Wichita County that has made a tangible impact on the region’s residents, tourists, youth, and businesses through innovative programs, exemplary community engagement, and a creative vision.  
  • Extent to which the nominee embodies the qualities described in the category. (40 pts.)
  • Significance of contribution(s)/achievement(s) to the community. (20 pts.)
  • Breadth and/or depth of the population impacted by their contribution. (20 pts.)
  • Degree of creativity and/or innovation. (20 pts.)
CATEGORY DESCRIPTION: Awarded to an institution or individual for significant advancement of inclusion in the arts in program design and operational practices. Nominees should present relevant practices of intentional engagement to include, respect, embrace, and/or enhance participation for people of all ages, cultures, ethnicities, religions/faiths, genders, differing abilities, sexual orientations, and/or other underrepresented sociocultural identities.  
  • Extent to which the nominee embodies the qualities described in the category. (40 pts.)
  • Extent to which the nominee engages or utilizes a variety of backgrounds, perspectives, and values in their work in Wichita County. (20 pts.)
  • Significance of contribution(s) to the community. (20 pts.)
  • Breadth and/or depth of the population impacted by their contribution. (20 pts.)
CATEGORY DESCRIPTION: An individual or group who has inspired and encouraged arts and culture in Wichita County in creative or innovative ways. The award recognizes collaboration in the arts, elevating arts and culture through visionary leadership, creativity, advocacy, and volunteerism, or inspiring and encouraging artists and arts groups in the areas of innovation, inclusiveness, and access.  
  • Extent to which the nominee embodies the qualities described in the category. (30 pts.)
  • Degree of creativity and/or innovation. (30 pts.)
  • Breadth and/or depth of the population impacted by their contribution/achievement. (20 pts.)
  • Significance of their contribution/achievement to the community. (20 pts.)
CATEGORY DESCRIPTION: An award selected and presented by the Mayor of Wichita Falls to an individual, group, organization, or business that has made significant and lasting contributions to the arts in Wichita Falls. There are no parameters or restrictions for this award.