Each year, State of the Arts honors Long Beach residents who make an extraordinary impact through the arts. Whether through community organizing, education, philanthropy, or cultural innovation, these awardees remind us that creativity isn’t just a product—it’s a public good.
Nominations are now open for the 2025 Arts Awards, and we invite you to help us recognize those shaping Long Beach’s creative future. Awardees will be celebrated live at State of the Arts 2025 on Friday, September 19 at Marina Pacifica Shopping Center. The three award categories are:
- 🌀 Incite/Insight Award – For individuals or groups whose creative work inspires perspective shifts, civic engagement, and community healing.
- 💼 Creative Economy Leader Award – For those contributing to the financial and social growth of Long Beach through cultural industries or workforce development.
This year’s awards are especially meaningful in light of steep cuts to arts funding. California has reduced more than $70 million from its cultural programs, jeopardizing grants, education, and job stability for artists and nonprofits.[¹] At the national level, the NEA has canceled $27 million in funding, impacting over 90 organizations.[²] Honoring our local leaders is not only a recognition—it’s a form of resistance.
Help us shine a light on the people behind the murals, the music, the classrooms, and the stage. Submitting a nomination only takes a few minutes, but your action could elevate a legacy.
📅 Nominations Close: Saturday, August 23, 2025
🏆 Awards Presented: Friday, September 19, 2025 at State of the Arts
👉 Submit your nomination here → https://forms.gle/cAyj1HrJpVDo43LB9
📍 Event Info → https://artslb.org/stateofthearts
Thank you to Marina Pacifica for supporting local recognition and visibility for Long Beach’s arts leaders.
#ArtsLB
Sources:
- (2018, February 4). Arts Funding Twenty-Five: Trends from 2022–2024. Https://www.Giarts.org/. Retrieved July 8, 2025, from https://www.giarts.org/arts-funding-twenty-five
- (2025, June 4). National Endowment for the Arts Cuts Millions in Grants. Https://Hyperallergic.com/. Retrieved July 8, 2025, from https://hyperallergic.com/1010245/national-endowment-for-the-arts-cuts-millions-in-grants