When

February 26, 2025 | 7:00 pm

What

Tickets for Texas Cultural Trust’s 12th biennial Texas Medal of Arts Awards Show are now available for $150 per person, with a package available for $1,500 that also gains entry to the red carpet reception and gala dinner.

The star-studded event will recognize 10 illustrious individuals and organizations for their contributions to the arts, including Terry Allen (Lubbock) for Multimedia, Mercedes Bass (Fort Worth) for Arts Patron/Individual, Gary Clark Jr. (Austin) for Music/Songwriter, Elizabeth Crook (Austin) for Literary Arts, Sandy Duncan (New London) for Musical Theatre, Richard Linklater (Houston) for Film/Director, Donald Moffett (San Antonio) for Visual Arts, Moody Foundation (Galveston) for Arts Patron/Foundation, Texas Music Educators Association for Arts Education and Dennis Quaid (Houston) for Film/Actor. 

The awards will be emceed by Chris Harrison and Lauren Zima. After all honorees are awarded, there will be special performances by: 

  • Gary Clark Jr.
  • Terry Allen and family
  • Ray Benson
  • Hays CISD Elementary Honor Choir 
  • Leander ISD Mixed Choirs
  • Texas Young Masters dancers Adeline Dunlop, Jordan Apodaca and Tori Han
  • World-renowned violinist and Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra concertmaster Michael Shih
  • 150-plus marching band musicians honoring the Texas Music Educators Association

There will also be a special appearance by past Texas Medal of the Arts winners.

The evening will conclude with a gala dinner catered by the Four Seasons at 8:30 p.m.. Guests will dine alongside Texas artists and luminaries, arts patrons, business leaders, legislators, entertainment notables and TMAA honorees. 

Texas Cultural Trust’s signature two-day event kicks off on Tuesday, Feb. 25, with the Arts Alive! VIP Reception at the private home of Charles Attal. It continues with the Rise with the Arts Brunch on Wednesday, Feb. 26, at the Governor’s Mansion. Celebrations will culminate with the awards show that evening at the Long Center for the Performing Arts. 

The 12th biennial event is chaired by Texas Cultural Trust board members Mickey Klein of Austin and Tania Schwartz of El Paso. Klein and Schwartz are distinguished leaders in their respective fields, known for their profound contributions to the arts, education and community service. 

Since 2001, the awards have celebrated 129 Texas leaders and luminaries who achieved excellence through their creative talents, as well as those whose generosity opened doors to artistic opportunity for Texans of all ages. As the signature fundraising event for the TXCT, the two-day affair is a star-studded celebration that spotlights the power of the arts not only to improve children’s education, stimulate the economy and improve health and well-being, but also to keep us connected, engaged and inspired. It also preserves the unique and proud culture of Texas. The Texas Medal of Arts is the highest recognition for the arts in Texas, akin to the Kennedy Center Honors.

Learn More

Tickets

$150

Tickets

Where

The Long Center

701 W Riverside Dr

The Long Center 701 W Riverside Dr