Creative Flagstaff and the Viola Awards Event Committee invite the community to  attend a roundtable meeting on Wednesday, October 20, 2021 from 5:30 to 7:30 pm at the Coconino Center for the Arts.

The meeting will brainstorm how to continue to evolve the Viola Awards, which will begin accepting nominations in late November for the 14^th annual event. The strategic plan unveiled at this year’s event, in June, further prioritizes equity within Creative Flagstaff’s programs, to celebrate creativity in all its forms, and to continue to build recognition within and beyond Flagstaff. It is through these lenses and more that we hope to have a lively discussion about how the Viola Awards will serve our community for another 10+ years.

This year’s event had one of the most diverse group of finalists since Viola Award’s founding. In response to community feedback, we want to understand how, together, we can continue to build nomination and outreach and ultimately select winners that reflect our diverse creative community.

We are seeking discussion around the following questions: How can we increase our reach for nominations? Are the current award categories reflective of Flagstaff’s creative community? And how can we ensure that the process from nomination to winner is as inclusive and transparent as possible?  Ultimately, the Viola Awards serve to celebrate excellence in Flagstaff’s creative art, science, and cultural communities. This meeting will seek to ensure that the Viola Awards continue to reflect our vibrant and strong creative community.

We invite invested community members to attend this meeting. Past panelists, winners, finalists, nominators, ceremony attendees, or anyone else that has an interest in the future of Viola Awards to attend.

While we welcome everyone to attend this meeting, please note that an RSVP is requested and can be done below. Additionally, in accordance with the Coconino Center for the Arts Covid policy, attendees must present either their vaccination card OR a negative covid test from within 72 hours of the event, and photo identification upon their arrival. To see the Coconino Center for the Arts’ full Covid policy click here.

If you are unable to attend this community meeting, but would like to share your thoughts, ideas, or questions, please email Sarah at sdowning@creativeflagstaff.org. If you are unable to attend due to concerns about COVID, please let us know, an online option is being explored.

The 14^th Annual Viola Awards are set for spring 2022. For more information and history of the Viola Awards, please click here.

Please RSVP using the following form.