The City will also celebrate the 25^th anniversary of its Cultural Arts Division

at the annual Farmington Area Art Awards in October

The City of Farmington Hills Cultural Arts Division and the Farmington Area Arts Commission (FAAC) are seeking nominations for the annual Farmington Area Art Awards to honor the contribution of local artists in the community. The awards program will recognize contributions of individuals, community organizations and businesses to the arts. Nominations can be submitted through the online nomination form through Sunday, March 2. 

The Farmington Area Art Awards ceremony will be held Saturday, Oct. 4 at The Hawk Theatre, the performing arts space inside The Hawk, the City’s award-winning recreation and arts venue. Free tickets will be available in August at TheHawkTheatre.com. This year, the Art Awards will also commemorate the 25^th anniversary of the City of Farmington Hills Cultural Arts Division and its community impact.

“A quarter century ago, the City of Farmington Hills made a commitment to the community to support and uplift artists from every walk of life, and to expose community members to the arts,” said Ellen Schnackel, director of the City of Farmington Hills Special Services Department. “Since then, we’ve continued to expand Cultural Arts programming and now, Farmington Hills has the largest dedicated municipal arts division in the state, which offers year-round programming in visual and performing arts for community members of all ages, interests and abilities.”

The Farmington Hills and Farmington communities are home to many accomplished and budding artists, cultural organizations, events, and successful cultural programs. Through this awards program, the community can recognize talented individuals in visual art, drama, dance, literature, music, photography, film, music and more. 

“The City of Farmington Hills is a community that greatly values the contributions of artists,” said Rachel Timlin, cultural arts supervisor for the City of Farmington Hills Special Services Department. “This awards program allows the City to formally thank artists for helping to keep the community vibrant, colorful and creative.”

Nominations are being accepted for:

•      The 2025-2026 Farmington Area Artist-in-Residence, which has been awarded since 1976 to individuals who display exceptional talent and artistic accomplishments. Nominees must currently reside in Farmington Hills or Farmington and will work with the City’s Cultural Arts Division to showcase their art throughout the year.
•      The Nancy Coumoundouros Distinguished Service to the Arts Award, which recognizes outstanding service to the community in the arts by an individual residing in Farmington Hills or Farmington.
•     Additional awards include the Arts Advocacy Award, recognizing outstanding service to the community by a business or organization, the Youth Art Awards to acknowledge talented student artists and the Arts Volunteer of the Year Award, which honors an individual who generously dedicates their time and creativity to the community.

The City of Farmington Hills has the largest dedicated municipal Cultural Arts Division in the State of Michigan. The Division coordinates arts programming for the Farmington Hills community and beyond, including classes, events, and activities in visual and performing arts, and year-round performances at The Hawk Theatre, to expose diverse populations to the arts. The City’s Cultural Arts Division also works to empower makers of all ages and abilities in The Hawk Makerspace, an immersive facility that allows makers to access a variety of state-of-the art tools and equipment, as well as a creative community with a wealth of resources and knowledge, to grow a hobby or skill, from sewing to woodworking and more.

The FAAC supports efforts to ensure that arts and cultural heritage are integral components of daily life in Farmington Hills and Farmington. The FAAC is committed to arts promotion and advocacy and serves as a conduit between local government and the arts community. Established in 1976, the Commission consists of individuals appointed by the Farmington Hills and Farmington City Councils. Recent winners of the Artist in Residence Award include Debbie Lim (2024-2025) and Mark Boyd (2023-2024). A complete list of past recipients dating back to 1976 is available on the City’s website.

For more information, contact the City of Farmington Hills Cultural Arts Division at 248-699-6700.    

 

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