Arts and Cultural Empowerment Awards

Hosted by the Wichita Falls Alliance for Arts and Culture, the ACE Awards highlight the importance of the arts as they relate to the quality of life of our region – and honor those who have made major creative achievements or contributions to cultural growth in Wichita County.

2025 Recipients
  • Outstanding Arts Educator – Shawn Ramos, Wichita Falls ISD
  • Artist of the Year – Josh Taylor
  • Distinguished Cultural Organization – Backdoor Theatre
  • Nadine McKown Volunteer Service Award – Meg Nester
  • Arts Champion – Wichita County Sheriff’s Office
  • Margie J. Reese Innovation Award – Wichita County Commissioner Mark Beauchamp
  • Mayor’s Choice Award – Brenda Jarrett
2024 Recipients
  • Outstanding Arts Educator: Suguru Hiraide, MSU Texas
  • Arts Champion: Inland Fisheries Division of Texas Parks and Wildlife
  • Margie J. Reese Innovation Award: Jennica Lambert
  • Artist of the Year: Selena Mize
  • Distinguished Cultural Organization: Wichita Falls Symphony Orchestra
  • Nadine McKown Volunteer Service Award: Tracy Minter
  • The Mayor’s Award: WFISD
2023 Recipients
  • Outstanding Arts Educator: Roger Palma
  • Arts Champion: Wichita Falls Downtown Development
  • The Maker Award: Shauna LaRocque, CrashWorks STEAM Studio & Makerspace
  • Artist of the Year: Carter Wallace
  • Distinguished Cultural Organization: Zavala Hispanic Cultural Initiative
  • Inclusion Advancement Award: Wichita Falls Housing Authority
  • Margie J. Reese Innovation Award: Daniel Nix, City of Wichita Falls
  • Mayor’s Choice Award: Wichita Falls 4B Sales Tax Corporation
2022 Recipients
  • Outstanding Arts Educator: Jessica B. Johnson, Wichita Falls ISD
  • Arts Champion: Danny Martinez
  • The Maker Award: Katie Britt, Katiedid Designz
  • Artists of the Year: Mishic and Val Liberatore, Wichita Falls Ballet Theater
  • Distinguished Cultural Organization: Arts Council Wichita Falls Area, Inc.
  • Inclusion Advancement Award: 9th Street Studios
  • Margie J. Reese Innovation Award: Bob Barrow & Art Battle
  • Mayor’s Choice Award: Museum of North Texas History