What does it mean to be a phenomenal woman?
I’m a painter who grew up here in New Haven. I’ve been involved with the arts scene since high school, around when I was admitted into the Educational Center for the Arts (ECA) in 2004. I consider myself an activist, hoping to marry the goals of community organizing with the phenomenon of art and arts-driven communities.
In May, I was selected by the Arts Council to serve on the jury for the 38th Annual Arts Awards. What hooked me was the theme: Phenomenal Women. So today, I’m asking you to send in nominations for the phenomenal women in your life, who have changed your artistic trajectories with their guidance, advice, and mentorship.
In spite of ongoing threats, women are rising as always. Across the cultural landscape, we’re seeing marginalized peoples take on power structures that have consistently created inequitable social and economic standards for working class women, women of color, trans women, gay and queer women, neurodivergent women, young women, and senior women.
While the arts world is not immune to these inequities—far from it—many women have challenged and survived under the status quo, becoming accomplished artists and leaders for change. This December, we’ll pay homage to them at the Arts Awards’ annual ceremony in December. But before that, our phenomenal jury needs to know who they are.
In submitting your nominations, I’d ask you to collectively keep in your thoughts what these women mean—to you, to us, to the greater New Haven community. Qualify anything and everything that you feel solidifies them as worthy candidates. All women are invaluable. All women are phenomenal. What matters in this process is hearing from those that respect and care for these nominees the unique and uplifting story they tell. Let us know how they have shaped their communities, and left an indelible impact on the humans in them.
Submissions are due Sept. 6; the submission form and directions are available here. We seek nominees from all corners of Greater New Haven in any discipline, which might include individuals, organizations, businesses, volunteers, philanthropists, events, and ideas. There is no limit to how many nominations you can submit.
The luncheon is on Dec. 7 from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the New Haven Lawn Club. I look forward to reading your nominations!