Nominations Accepted Through Aug. 1 for 2025 Golden Paintbrush Awards

Nominations for the 2025 Golden Paintbrush Awards are now open! The Ann Arbor Public Art Commission’s biennial awards are designed to recognize people in the community who’ve created or fostered art in Ann Arbor’s public spaces. 

Any individual, group or organization can be nominated for the Golden Paintbrush Award if their art demonstrates civic engagement, creativity or skill, and is publicly visible and maintainable. Anyone may submit a nomination, including for their own work. Temporary works (like an ice sculpture or poetry event) are eligible if photos or videos are included. 

The judging panel notes it will select works that show collaboration, excellence and bring a sense of magic to everyday life. All art forms — visual, musical, performance, etc. — are eligible if they are publicly visible and accessible in Ann Arbor. Awards are given in two categories: Judge’s Selections and a People’s Choice Award voted on by the public.

Nominations are due by Friday, Aug. 1, 2025, and may be submitted at www.a2gov.org/golden.

Judging criteria

• Creativity/skill: 50% (is the project unique, impactful and well executed?)
• Civic engagement: 25% (has it involved members of the local community?)
• Visibility: 25% (accessible and easily seen or heard by the public?)

To encourage flexibility, the judges will collectively define how they use each of the criteria. The awards are meant to recognize and promote creative civic achievement as well as appreciation of the variety of public art in Ann Arbor.

For the People’s Choice Award, judges will shortlist several works to be featured online in early August. The public will then vote for their favorite. 

To learn more, submit a nomination or view past winners, visit www.a2gov.org/golden.

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Media Contact: 

Robert Kellar, rkellar@a2gov.org  | 734.794.6000, ext. 41524