Ann Arbor’s biennial celebration of public creativity is returning, as nominations have officially opened for the 2025 Golden Paintbrush Awards. Organized by the Ann Arbor Public Art Commission, the awards recognize individuals, groups and organizations that have made notable contributions to public art in the city.
The awards aim to honor work that enhances public spaces through civic engagement, creativity, and artistic skill. Open to all art forms — including visual, musical and performance — the competition welcomes submissions that are publicly visible and accessible within Ann Arbor. Temporary work is eligible if documentation in the form of photos or videos is provided.
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Two types of awards will be granted: Judge’s Selections, determined by a panel of local experts, and a People’s Choice Award, which will be decided through public voting. The judging panel will evaluate nominations based on three key criteria: Creativity/skill: (50%), civic engagement (25%) and visibility (25%). Judges will collaborate to interpret these guidelines.
Submissions can be made by anyone, including self-nominations. The deadline for nominations is Friday, August 1, 2025. Finalists for the People’s Choice Award will be announced in early August, with public voting to follow shortly afterward.
The Golden Paintbrush Awards are intended not only to recognize artistic excellence but also to promote a sense of magic in everyday life through art that is accessible and inclusive. For more information, to submit a nomination, or to view past winners, the public is encouraged to visit a2gov.org/golden.
