Boulder Arts Week Awards
CONGRATULATIONS to the winners of the 2025 Boulder Arts Week Awards!
Champion of Champions Award
This year, the Champion of Champions Award is shared by two beloved local businesses: Lindsay’s Boulder Deli and Organic Sandwich Company. Both have long supported Boulder Arts Week and the local arts community, most recently teaming up for a sandwich competition that raised funds for the Museum of Boulder and the Boulder International Film Festival. Their ongoing commitment to fostering creativity and supporting local culture truly exemplifies what it means to be a “Champion of Champions.”
Artivist Award
The Artivist Award honors an individual or group that uses art as a vehicle for social change. The 2025 award goes to Motus Theater, whose powerful performances and community storytelling initiatives have sparked conversation, inspired action, and built bridges throughout Boulder and beyond.
Uncharted Territory Award
For groundbreaking work expanding the possibilities of artistic engagement, the Uncharted Territory Award is presented to Anna Bouw-Bolik. Anna’s advocacy and instruction using the Scripor Alphabet have created new avenues for visually impaired individuals to access, experience, and create art.
Bright Futures Award
Recognizing a rising star whose work points to a bright future for the arts, this year’s Bright Futures Award goes to filmmaker and scholar Jean-Jacques Martinod. Currently pursuing his PhD in Critical Media Practices at CU Boulder, Jean-Jacques’s innovative projects and commitment to experimental film are already shaping the next generation of creative media in Boulder.
BAW Boulder Buzz, People’s Choice Award
Voted on by the community, the BAW Boulder Buzz, People’s Choice Award celebrates an arts group or event that energized Boulder during Arts Week. The 2025 winner is Blue Dime Cabaret, whose dazzling performances and inclusive atmosphere made a lasting impression on audiences this year.
The awards
The BAW Boulder Buzz Award
Voted on by the community, this award celebrates the most beloved event, program, or artwork featured during Boulder Arts Week. Whether it captivated audiences, sparked conversation, or left a lasting impression, the winner of this award reflects the heart and spirit of Boulder’s vibrant arts scene.
The Champion of Champions
This award recognizes a local business that has demonstrated outstanding support for the arts ecosystem in Boulder. Through sponsorships, collaborations, or direct involvement, this business has significantly contributed to the vibrancy of the local arts scene, ensuring that creativity and culture continue to thrive in our community.
The Artivist Award
Honoring an individual or organization that has leveraged their artistic practice to drive meaningful change in social justice, climate justice, or other critical issues. This award celebrates those who use their creativity as a catalyst for awareness, advocacy, and action, inspiring both the arts community and society at large.
The Uncharted Territory Award
This award recognizes an individual or organization that has pushed the boundaries of their field through bold innovation and creative excellence. Whether through groundbreaking techniques, new technologies, or visionary storytelling, the recipient has demonstrated an exceptional ability to redefine artistic possibilities.
The Bright Futures Award
Presented to a promising student from one of Boulder’s higher education institutions, this award highlights an individual whose talent, dedication, and artistic vision signal a bright future in the arts. This rising star embodies creativity, skill, and the potential to make a lasting impact in their chosen discipline.
Announcement and description:
Boulder Arts Week is excited to announce Boulder Arts Week Awards (which we are affectionately calling the “BAWies”), funded by the City of Boulder’s Office of Arts and Culture. These awards recognize individuals and organizations that make Boulder’s arts community thrive. Whether through artistic excellence, advocacy, or support for local creatives, these awards honor those shaping a vibrant, inclusive cultural scene.
Each year around Boulder Arts Week, we will celebrate the artists, leaders, and businesses driving meaningful change. Winners receive a $1,000 stipend—to support their work or donate to an arts organization—along with publicity and promotion to amplify their impact. By recognizing these changemakers, we inspire continued creativity and collaboration in Boulder’s arts ecosystem.