The Arkansas Living Treasure program annually recognizes an Arkansas artist who excels in the creation of a traditional craft and who actively preserves and advances his or her craft through community outreach and educating others.
An independent panel of practicing craft artists and professionals in the fields of craft and folk art selects the recipient based on the following criteria: quality of work, community outreach and total contribution to the field of traditional crafts. The awardee is honored at a ceremony in May during Arkansas Heritage Month.
In 2013, the Arkansas Arts Council and Historic Arkansas Museum collaborated to produce a series of short films that celebrate the lives and work of each Arkansas Living Treasure recipient. Click here to view the documentaries featured in the Arkansas Living Treasure Film Project.
The program was modeled upon the National Living Treasure Award presented by the University of North Carolina at Wilmington Museum of World Cultures.
The Arkansas Arts Council is pleased to announce and recognize Michael Warwick as the 2020 Arkansas Living Treasure for his work and dedication to the craft of metalworking.
Read MoreEach year, the Arkansas Arts Council seeks nominations from the community for an Arkansan who is outstanding in the creation of a traditional craft and has significantly contributed to the preservation of the art form. The nominee must be a current resident of Arkansas and has lived in the state for at least one year at the time of nomination.
Eligible artists must work in a traditional craft form, such as basket weaving, bladesmithing, glassblowing, broom making, doll making, leatherwork, metalsmithing, musical instrument making, pottery, quilt making, toy making, weaving, woodcarving or other functional crafts.
An independent panel of practicing craft artists and professionals in the fields of craft and folk art reviews the nominations and selects the recipient based on the following criteria: quality of work, community outreach and total contribution to the field of traditional crafts.
The panel looks for a well-rounded artist who creates quality, artistic and technical work and one who is also involved in outreach activities that maintain and advance the traditional craft form for future generations. The awardee is honored at a ceremony in May during Arkansas Heritage Month.
Since 2002, the Arkansas Arts Council has recognized Arkansas Living Treasures, Arkansas artisans who excel in the practice of a traditional craft and who have passed the tradition on to the next generation.