The Spark Awards is ASI’s annual awards celebration where outstanding individuals and organizations from across the Western New York arts community are recognized for their dedication, talent, and impact on the sector.

Our 8th annual Spark Awards will be held virtually this year. We will be streaming the presentation for free on our YouTube page.

Visit our website for more details on this year's honorees -Here

2021 Honorees

Arts Organization of the Year: Finalists
Buffalo Opera Unlimited
CEPA Gallery
Locust Street Neighborhood Art Classes

Artist of the Year: Finalists
Chantal Calato
Jalen A. Law
Stephen Solook

Arts Integration
Thembi Duncan, Shea’s PAC, and the Buffalo Police Department’s Body Language Competency Training for New Recruits

DEC Program of the Year
Defiant Monkey Improv’s “The Brain of Dr. Delgado”

Leading Where You Are
Nancy Clarke Mariani
Michael Quinniey
Jose Rodriguez
Gaitrie Subryan

Lifetime Achievement
Patrick Fagan

Rising Star
Nicole Cooke, WNY Book Arts Center

Supporter of the Cultural Sector
Cullen Foundation

Trailblazer of the Arts
Aitina Fareed-Cooke

Unsung Hero
Joan Fishburn