Boulder Arts Week Awards
Vote for your favorite, then join us in celebrating the first four 2026 Boulder Arts Week Award winners…
The Artivist Award Winner: Parisa Tashakori
The Artivist Award honors an individual or organization that has leveraged their artistic practice to drive meaningful change in social justice, climate justice, or other critical issues — using creativity as a catalyst for awareness, advocacy, and action. This year, that award goes to Parisa Tashakori.
An award-winning Iranian graphic designer and educator, Parisa brings more than two decades of design practice to work that is as purposeful as it is visually powerful. Over the course of her career she has worn many hats — designer, project manager, exhibition curator, artist, and activist — with a consistent focus on social and cultural engagement, and on collaboration as a tool for meaningful change. Her work has been exhibited internationally and recognized across the global design community.
Here in Boulder, Parisa shapes the next generation of visual communicators as Director of the Master of Strategic Communication Design program at CU's College of Communication, Media, Design and Information. Whether in the studio or the classroom, she models what it looks like to put design in service of justice — proving, again and again, that the first step of design is designing our lives.
Bright Futures Award Winner: Nicholas Felder
The Bright Futures Award is presented to a promising student from one of Boulder's higher education institutions whose talent, dedication, and artistic vision signal a bright future in the arts. This year, that rising star is Nicholas Felder.
A Black queer artist, composer-vocalist, activist, and educator, Nicholas creates art that inspires relational bonds between people — building community through artmaking, unlocking truths around self-identity, and creating space for embodied expression. Currently pursuing his Doctor of Musical Arts in Music Composition at CU Boulder,Nicholas brings a remarkable depth of experience to his studies, having led arts programs and workshops with organizations including El Sistema Colorado, the Detroit Symphony Orchestra, and the American Composers Orchestra.
His work with young people is especially compelling — Nicholas loves encouraging teens to express their social and political views through artmaking, modeling the belief that art is not just something we make, but something that makes us. Boulder is lucky to have him in our midst, and the arts world is better for what's ahead.
Uncharted Territory Award Winner: Roots Music Project
The Uncharted Territory Award recognizes an individual or organization that has pushed the boundaries of their field through bold innovation and creative excellence — redefining what's possible through groundbreaking techniques, new technologies, or visionary storytelling. This year, that award goes to Roots Music Project.
A nonprofit community of music fans and music makers, Roots Music Project believes in the power of music to make the world a better place — and their programming proves it. Their calendar is a masterclass in creative range: live concerts spanning blues, jazz, funk, Americana, and beyond; hands-on production workshops; music wellness experiences; youth development through their TEMPO high school program; and an open mic series designed specifically as a sober, inclusive space for performers and audiences alike. Over 1,000 artists perform on their stages each year and their commitment to artist development goes even further with initiatives like RMP On The Rise, a compilation record showcasing the depth and diversity of Colorado's music scene.
Their latest venture, the Boulder Roots Music Festival, is a testament to what happens when an organization dares to dream bigger — bringing together artists and audiences in a celebration of living musical traditions that is as fresh as it is rooted. For their relentless creativity, community investment, and vision for what a music organization can be, Roots Music Project has more than earned this recognition.
The Champion of Champion Award Winner: Mountain Sun Pub & Brewery
The Champion of Champions Award recognizes a local business operating outside of the arts sector that has demonstrated outstanding support for Boulder's arts ecosystem — through sponsorships, collaborations, and meaningful involvement that help ensure creativity and culture continue to thrive in our community. This year's champion is Mountain Sun Pub & Brewery.
For decades, Mountain Sun has been more than a beloved neighborhood gathering place — it has been a steadfast home for Boulder's artists, musicians, and makers. They host live music and performers, sponsor arts events and organizations, and show up as an enthusiastic Boulder Arts Week partner year after year. But their commitment to the arts runs even deeper than that: Mountain Sun actively employs local artists to bring their spaces to life, from original artwork on the walls to hand-lettered chalk menus, making artistry a visible and valued part of the everyday experience of walking through their doors.
In a landscape where community venues and business support can make or break a local arts scene, Mountain Sun has been the kind of partner every arts ecosystem dreams of — one that doesn't just support the arts from the outside, but lives it from the inside out.
The BAW Boulder Buzz Award
Voted on by the community, this award celebrates the most beloved event, program, or artwork featured during Boulder Arts Week. Whether it captivated audiences, sparked conversation, or left a lasting impression, the winner of this award reflects the heart and spirit of Boulder’s vibrant arts scene.
What are the Boulder Arts Week Awards?
Boulder Arts Week is excited to announce Boulder Arts Week Awards (which we are affectionately calling the “BAWies”), funded by the City of Boulder’s Office of Arts and Culture. These awards recognize individuals and organizations that make Boulder’s arts community thrive. Whether through artistic excellence, advocacy, or support for local creatives, these awards honor those shaping a vibrant, inclusive cultural scene.
Each year around Boulder Arts Week, we celebrate the artists, leaders, and businesses driving meaningful change. Winners receive a $1,000 stipend—to support their work or donate to an arts organization—along with publicity and promotion to amplify their impact. By recognizing these changemakers, we inspire continued creativity and collaboration in Boulder’s arts ecosystem.
Past recipients—both individuals and organizations—remain honored members of our award community; the award is granted only once to help uplift others.
Voting for the Boulder Buzz Award will be open April 3-15, 2026.
The awards
The Champion of Champions
This award recognizes a local business operating outside of the arts sector that has demonstrated outstanding support for Boulder’s arts ecosystem. Through sponsorships, collaborations, or other meaningful involvement, this business has significantly contributed to the vibrancy of the local arts scene, helping ensure that creativity and culture continue to thrive in our community.
The Artivist Award
Honoring an individual or organization that has leveraged their artistic practice to drive meaningful change in social justice, climate justice, or other critical issues. This award celebrates those who use their creativity as a catalyst for awareness, advocacy, and action, inspiring both the arts community and society at large.
The Uncharted Territory Award
This award recognizes an individual or organization that has pushed the boundaries of their field through bold innovation and creative excellence. Whether through groundbreaking techniques, new technologies, or visionary storytelling, the recipient has demonstrated an exceptional ability to redefine artistic possibilities.
The Bright Futures Award
Presented to a promising student from one of Boulder’s higher education institutions, this award highlights an individual whose talent, dedication, and artistic vision signal a bright future in the arts. This rising star embodies creativity, skill, and the potential to make a lasting impact in their chosen discipline.
The BAW Boulder Buzz Award
Voted on by the community, this award celebrates the most beloved event, program, or artwork featured during Boulder Arts Week. Whether it captivated audiences, sparked conversation, or left a lasting impression, the winner of this award reflects the heart and spirit of Boulder’s vibrant arts scene.
CONGRATULATIONS to the winners of the 2025 Boulder Arts Week Awards!
Champion of Champions Award
This year, the Champion of Champions Award is shared by two beloved local businesses: Lindsay’s Boulder Deli and Organic Sandwich Company. Both have long supported Boulder Arts Week and the local arts community, most recently teaming up for a sandwich competition that raised funds for the Museum of Boulder and the Boulder International Film Festival. Their ongoing commitment to fostering creativity and supporting local culture truly exemplifies what it means to be a “Champion of Champions.”
Artivist Award
The Artivist Award honors an individual or group that uses art as a vehicle for social change. The 2025 award goes to Motus Theater, whose powerful performances and community storytelling initiatives have sparked conversation, inspired action, and built bridges throughout Boulder and beyond.
Uncharted Territory Award
For groundbreaking work expanding the possibilities of artistic engagement, the Uncharted Territory Award is presented to Anna Bouw-Bolik. Anna’s advocacy and instruction using the Scripor Alphabet have created new avenues for visually impaired individuals to access, experience, and create art.
Bright Futures Award
Recognizing a rising star whose work points to a bright future for the arts, this year’s Bright Futures Award goes to filmmaker and scholar Jean-Jacques Martinod. Currently pursuing his PhD in Critical Media Practices at CU Boulder, Jean-Jacques’s innovative projects and commitment to experimental film are already shaping the next generation of creative media in Boulder.
BAW Boulder Buzz, People’s Choice Award
Voted on by the community, the BAW Boulder Buzz, People’s Choice Award celebrates an arts group or event that energized Boulder during Arts Week. The 2025 winner is Blue Dime Cabaret, whose dazzling performances and inclusive atmosphere made a lasting impression on audiences this year.