After releasing initial details for next year's Texas Medal of the Arts Awards (TMAA), the Texas Cultural Trust (TXCT) has revealed the full lineup of 2023 honorees — and San Antonio residents will recognize one local name.
Taking place in venues across Austin, the two-day biannual event recognizes the creative contributions of Texans across multiple disciplines, from music to architecture, film, design, and beyond. Next year's honorees also span multiple geographical regions, with recipients representing Houston, El Paso, and everywhere in between.
“We are beyond thrilled to resume the TMAA celebration, after having to postpone and cancel in 2021 due to the pandemic, with an extraordinary lineup of talented Texans who have each inspired and captivated their communities, our state, and beyond,” says Texas Cultural Trust CEO Heidi Marquez Smith. “Our organization strives to spotlight the vital role the arts play in our state and our everyday lives. Texas has such a rich cultural heritage that deserves to be recognized, invested in, and celebrated.”
So, without further ado, the 2023 Texas Medal of Arts Honorees are:
- Arts/Health: Center for Performing Arts Medicine, Houston
- Lifetime Achievement/Musical Theatre: Carole Cook, Abilene
- Music: Christopher Cross, San Antonio
- Music/Songwriter: Miranda Lambert, Lindale
- Architecture: Miró Rivera Architects, Austin
- Visual Arts: Deborah Roberts, Austin
- Design: Lela Rose, Dallas
- Literary Arts: Benjamin Alire Saenz, El Paso
- Film/Producer: Taylor Sheridan, Weatherford
- Dance: Septime Webre, Brownsville
- Film/Actor: Luke Wilson, Dallas
Christopher Cross has sold over 10 million albums in his career, which has spanned more than four decades. His 1980 self-titled debut album won five Grammy Awards, including — for the first time in Grammy history — the “Big Four” most prestigious awards: Record of the Year (for the single “Sailing”), Album of the Year, Song of the Year (also “Sailing”), and Best NewArtist. Cross also boasts an Academy Award for Best Song ("Arthur's Theme," co-written with Burt t Bacharach for the film Arthur); a Golden Globe, an Emmy nomination, and five Top 10 singles.
The TXCT's signature two-day event will begin on February 21, 2023, with the Arts Alive! Reception at Commodore Perry Estate, culminating with an Awards Show and Gala Dinner at the Long Center for Performing Arts on February 22, 2023. This year's events are co-chaired by Linda LaMantia, civic leader and artist dedicated to supporting and promoting the arts and education; Judy Robison, philanthropic advocate for prioritizing equity in access to the arts for all children; and world-renowned fashion designer and 2019 TMAA Honoree Brandon Maxwell.
Besides Maxwell, previous honorees have included Matthew McConaughey, Jamie Foxx, ZZ Top, Willie Nelson, Dan Rather, Neiman Marcus, H-E-B, Robert Rodriguez, Walter Cronkite, Lawrence Wright, Sandra Cisneros, Lyle Lovett, Texas Monthly, and many more. In total, the TMAA have celebrated 118 Texas leaders and luminaries since its inception in 2001.
Christopher Cross will receive a 2023 Texas Medal of Arts.
