Bainbridge Island Museum of Art (BIMA) is proud to announce the return of its significant biennial award program, the BRAVA Awards (BIMA Recognizes Achievement in the Visual Arts). The awards will honor four exceptional contemporary artists, craftspeople, or makers whose work demonstrates artistic excellence, technical mastery, and meaningful contributions to the arts community. The awards will be presented in four categories, recognizing individual achievement and the broader impact these artists have had on the arts landscape.
The award was inspired by the values and vision of museum founder Cynthia Sears, who has been a passionate advocate for a world that supports, respects, and honors artists, craftspeople, and creative makers. The awards are designed to make a direct and significant difference in the lives of contemporary working artists and craftspeople, as well as a lasting impact on the arts landscape of our region and beyond.
Each artist selected in one of four categories will receive an unrestricted award of $15,000, and recognition of their achievement through a short video, promotion, and live award program. Each BRAVA awardee is selected through a unique competitive process from one of four independent Jury Committees, composed of working artists, educators, and art sector leaders and thinkers. The BRAVAs will be awarded every two years through a dedicated Award reserve, seeded by a restricted gift to the museum and maintained by BIMA.