The vastness of Texas lends itself to many things, including inspiring some of the county's best artists. Reflecting this, the Texas Cultural Trust has picked its 2025 honorees for the Texas Medal of Arts Awards (TMAA).
The 12th biennial awards ceremony will be held in Austin on February 25-26, 2025. According to a press release, it celebrates "individuals who have profoundly influenced Texas and beyond," and includes artists across literature, visual arts, film, music, and more.
San Antonio has one representative this year: multimedia visual artist Donald Moffett, who was born here and now lives in New York. Although all of the honorees have strong points of view, Moffett offers some of the most provocative works — for viewers who know how to look at them.
Moffett's style is largely abstract and sometimes explicit, tackling issues like the AIDS crisis, climate change, and political repression.
His courtroom drawings series Mr. Gay in the USA depicts the trial and sentencing of Ronald Gay, who committed a mass shooting in a gay bar in Roanoke, Virginia. In his multimedia series What Barbara Jordan Wore, he highlighted former U.S Congresswoman Barbara Jordan, a progressive Texas representative who was particularly famous for her opening statements in the impeachment of then-President Richard Nixon.
2025 Texas Medal of Arts Honorees include:
- Terry Allen, Lubbock: Multimedia
- Mercedes Bass, Fort Worth: Arts Patron/Individual
- Gary Clark Jr., Austin: Music/Songwriter
- Elizabeth Crook, Austin: Literary Arts
- Sandy Duncan, New London: Musical Theatre
- Richard Linklater, Houston: Film/Director
- Donald Moffett, San Antonio: Visual Arts
- Moody Foundation, Galveston: Arts Patron/Foundation
- Texas Music Educators Association: Arts Education
- Dennis Quaid, Houston: Film/Actor
They join 129 more honorees since 2001.
"Texans have left an indelible mark on the arts and culture landscape, creating a legacy that inspires future generations," said Texas Cultural Trust CEO Heidi Marquez Smith in the release. “We are thrilled to celebrate these outstanding creative leaders at the 12th biennial Texas Medal of Arts Awards, reinforcing the importance of supporting the arts and creative sectors.”
The Texas Cultural Trust is a nonprofit that works toward increasing access and awareness of the arts across Texas. Two days of celebrations, brunch, dinner, an awards show, and more will be held at a private home, the Governor's Mansion, and the Long Center for the Performing Arts. Tickets ($150) are available via txct.org.
