The vastness of Texas lends itself to many things, including inspiring some of the county's best artists. Reflecting this, the Texas Cultural Trust has picked its 2025 honorees for the Texas Medal of Arts Awards (TMAA).
The 12th biennial awards ceremony will be held in Austin on February 25-26, 2025. According to a press release, it celebrates "individuals who have profoundly influenced Texas and beyond," and includes artists across literature, visual arts, film, music, and more.
Austin's two representatives this year are musician Gary Clark Jr. and novelist Elizabeth Crook. Another former Austinite, film director Richard Linklater, is also on the list of honorees in his new home base of Houston. Although not all honorees are immediately recognizable to people who don't work in the arts, the three with strong Austin ties work in the popular sphere.
Gary Clark Jr. cannot be constrained to a single genre — as is the case for many celebrated artists, especially while they're still making strides — but he is best known for his modern take on the blues that still abides by the traditional foundations. Clark got his start in the famous Austin blues club Antone's and has since won four Grammy Awards.
“I’m honored to receive the 2025 Texas Medal of Arts Award with these other esteemed artists,” said Clark in a press release. “I’m looking forward to the event in February and hope to see you all there.”
Richard Linklater is an Austin hero thanks to his film Dazed and Confused, a 90s stoner comedy filmed at local spots like Top Notch Hamburgers and the Violet Crown Plaza. It also gave actor Matthew McConaughey, a 2019 Texas Medal of Arts nominee, one of his most iconic roles. Austinites went wild for a 30-year cast reunion event in September at the Paramount Theater, proving that the film's relevance is still strong decades later. He is also known for the Austin-shot Boyhood and recently directed Hit Man with new Austin sensation Glen Powell in the lead.
Elizabeth Crook has published six novels. The Which Way Tree is her best-known work, following a girl's journey across the Texas frontier to hunt the panther that killed her mother. From Nacogdoches, San Marcos, and Washington, D.C., Crook currently lives in Austin and was last year's winner of the Texas Writer Award at the Texas Book Festival.
2025 Texas Medal of Arts Honorees include:
- Terry Allen, Lubbock: Multimedia
- Mercedes Bass, Fort Worth: Arts Patron/Individual
- Gary Clark Jr., Austin: Music/Songwriter
- Elizabeth Crook, Austin: Literary Arts
- Sandy Duncan, New London: Musical Theatre
- Richard Linklater, Houston: Film/Director
- Donald Moffett, San Antonio: Visual Arts
- Moody Foundation, Galveston: Arts Patron/Foundation
- Texas Music Educators Association: Arts Education
- Dennis Quaid, Houston: Film/Actor
They join 129 more honorees since 2001.
"Texans have left an indelible mark on the arts and culture landscape, creating a legacy that inspires future generations," said Texas Cultural Trust CEO Heidi Marquez Smith in the release. “We are thrilled to celebrate these outstanding creative leaders at the 12th biennial Texas Medal of Arts Awards, reinforcing the importance of supporting the arts and creative sectors.”
The Texas Cultural Trust is a nonprofit that works toward increasing access and awareness of the arts across Texas. Two days of celebrations, brunch, dinner, an awards show, and more will be held at a private home, the Governor's Mansion, and the Long Center for the Performing Arts. Tickets ($150) are available via txct.org.
