SVCREATES recognizes the region’s finest artists who have demonstrated a commitment to developing their art forms and to enriching the greater Santa Clara County region with exhibitions, performances, presentations, and service. The SVLaureates and the Content Emerging Artist Award provide unrestricted cash prizes to support artists while they pursue their creative work.
The purpose of this program is to:
- Recognize the artistic vibrancy and impact of our local artists
- Provide monetary support to encourage continuing development of the artist’s work
- Spotlight the important role individual artists play in contributing to a vital and creative community
Awards and Categories
In 2025, SVCREATES will award up to three Content Emerging Artist Awards of $5,000 each.
New this year! Content Emerging Artist Award - South County
Thanks to the support of dedicated south county funders, one award will honor an emerging artist making an impact through their art in the cities of Gilroy, Morgan Hill, or the San Martin area. Note, artists may live outside those cities, or in adjacent counties, but the majority of their work must be performed or presented in South Santa Clara County.
Awards will be presented at a public celebration in August 2025. All awardees will be featured in the August 2025 issue of Content Magazine.
Content Emerging Artist Award recognizes early career artists in all genres for artistic achievement and commitment to a path toward becoming a professional artist.
Genres include:
Visual Arts: including two and three-dimensional work that is created in the studio or in community spaces; including drawing, painting, printmaking, sculpture in all media, photography, video, mixed/multiple media, installation, new or alternative media and social practice art.
Performing Arts: including art that is presented for an audience on a formal or informal stage. Eligible applicants include artists creating work that is developed offstage, backstage, or pre-performance (choreographers, composers, stage directors, stage/set/costume designers). Or performers themselves (dancers, actors, spoken word artists, instrumental/vocal musicians).
Literary Arts: all written literary art forms, including poetry, prose, stage or screenplay.
Note: This program does not include architecture, landscaping, industrial/graphic/computer systems design, journalism/photojournalism, or other commercial activities.
An Emerging Artist is defined as:
- An artist in the early stages of their career (not defined by age)
- Demonstrating a commitment to their practice, working intentionally over the last 3-5 years to develop and promote a career as a professional artist
- Having some evidence of professional achievement through exhibitions or performances in public settings
- Being rigorous in their approach to creation and production
- Having developed an original body of work with a clear identity
- Taking risks and embracing challenges