PHX Reporter

Phoenix Art Museum has announced the opening of submissions for the 2025 Sally and Richard Lehmann Emerging Artist Awards. This program offers $10,000 in financial support to emerging artists based in Arizona. The museum is also introducing the Sette/Cohn Artist Award, a new $5,000 prize available to applicants not selected for the Lehmann Awards.

Jeremy Mikolajczak, Sybil Harrington Director and CEO of Phoenix Art Museum, emphasized the importance of supporting local artists: “Investing in and supporting Arizona-based artists...is a crucial component of the mission of Phoenix Art Museum.”

The awards are part of an initiative to foster contemporary art creation by encouraging emerging artists through grants and exhibitions. Each year, two recipients are chosen by a jury led by Christian Ramírez, Cohn Assistant Curator of Contemporary and Community Art Initiatives at Phoenix Art Museum. In addition to financial support, awardees receive lifetime museum membership and exhibition opportunities.

The Sette/Cohn Artist Award aims to enhance arts engagement and community partnerships. It honors Lisa Sette for her longstanding support of Arizona-based artists and Lee and Mike Cohn for their contributions to museum initiatives.

Submissions are open from March 1 to April 30, 2025. Artists must meet specific criteria such as having four years of professional experience or being residents of Arizona for at least one year. Applications must be submitted online with various materials including artist statements and work samples.

Phoenix Art Museum has been engaging visitors since 1959 with diverse exhibitions. The Lehmann Emerging Artist Awards continue a tradition begun by Contemporary Forum, rebranded in 2021 thanks to donors Sally and Richard Lehmann.

The Sette/Cohn Artist Award is a five-year initiative that supports emerging Arizona artists selected from the Lehmann applicant pool by a jury panel.

Artlink Inc., partnering with Phoenix Art Museum on this call, connects artists with business communities through events like First Friday Art Walks and other initiatives.