Academy Directory Now Online

FORT WORTH, TX - The Academy of Western Artists has launched its online member directory, including Professional, Associate, Charter, and Legacy members. Professional members have applied for membership, have at least 5 years' experience as a professional in their chosen field, and are eligible to apply for awards from the Academy. Associate members are those who don't yet have 5 years' paid experience, or who choose to stay at the Associate level. Charter members helped found the Academy back in 1996, and now have lifetime memberships. Legacy members were Academy members before 2024.

Check out the new directory.

Application Deadline Extended to June 30

FORT WORTH, TX - The application deadline for the 2024 Academy of Western Artists awards has been extended to June 30, 2025 to provide additional time for members to join and apply. Professional members who join before the application deadline are eligible to apply for one or more of the seventy awards in seven categories (Western/Cowboy Music & Poetry, Western Swing Music, Western Country Music, Western Art, Western Media, Western Culture Industry, and Chuckwagon). There is no application fee for an award. Descriptions of each award and what is required to enter are on the awards page.

All applications are submitted online, through the professional member's online account page. Supporting materials in digital form are uploaded through a special link subsequently provided to the applicant. For general information and more details, see the awards policies. The Academy reserves the right to withhold an award in any category where the quality or number of entries does not meet the Academy's standards.

The awards process involves multiple steps (Application > Nomination > Voting > Judging). Winners will be announced at one of three awards ceremonies to be held in the late fall.