About the award
This annual award honors those individuals who have, over a long period of time, made significant contributions to Northfield in, through, or on behalf of arts and culture, so as to enhance the reputation of the city and the quality of life of its residents and visitors.
Culture, as defined in the 2019 Cultural Plan, encompasses the whole of the community’s intellectual and social formation, including its work, thoughts, behaviors, and beliefs as manifested through the arts, food, oral languages, dress, homes, recreation, history, landscape, rituals, traditions, celebrations and festivals.
Eligibility
Nominees may be either a practitioner in one or more of the arts, or an arts or cultural leader, supporter, or advocate.
Award benefits
The award is one of recognition and has no financial value.
Criteria for nomination
- The nominee must have amassed a body of work that demonstrates consistency of excellence.
- The nominee must be an inspiration to others.
- Personal admirable attributes that the nominee may possess include: kindness, courage, wisdom, grace, authenticity, humor, humility, respectfulness and generosity.
- The nominee must be living and a Northfield area resident (within school district boundaries).
- The nominee, in discussions with the Arts and Culture Commission, is encouraged to serve the community and share their expertise for a period of no less than twelve months from March through February during the year after receiving the award, to the extent they are able. Contributions might include offering a series of lectures, workshops or classes to students in the Northfield schools, FiftyNorth, and/or to the community as a whole, serving as spokesperson or advocate for arts and culture.
In addition to the criteria that a nominee must meet to be designated as a Living Treasure, the nomination process has three basic requirements:
- The nomination must be approved by no less than three persons not related to the nominee.
- The nominator must inform the nominee about the intent to pursue a nomination, and the nominee must agree to be nominated.
- The nominator must work together with the nominee to complete the nomination form.
Award recipients
| Year | Name | Major works |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Bob Gregory-Bjorklund | Theater teacher and director |
| 2024 | Judy Saye-Willis | Fiber art, co-founder of Studio ARTour, teacher, grant writer |
| 2023 | Wayne Kivell | Vocal music teacher, founder, director of choir ensembles |
| 2020 – 2021 | Mac Gimse | Sculptor, poet and teacher |
| 2019 | Donna Paulsen | Multi-talented musician and teacher |
| 2018 | Judy Code | Gardening artist and photographer |
| 2017 | Judith Swanson | Advocate, artist, designer, graphic designer |
| 2016 | Jan Shoger | Artist and teachers |
| 2015 | Theo and DeWayne Wee | Musicians and teachers |
| 2014 | Patsy Dew | Arts programmer, built arts programs at the Northfield Arts Guild and the Senior Center, photographer, community theater director, actress |
| 2013 | Paul Niemisto | Musician, band director, founder of Vintage Band Festival |
| 2012 | Cora Scholz | Musician, founder and long-time director of the Northfield Youth Choirs |
| 2011 | Myrna Johnson | Theater, founder of the Northfield Arts Guild Theather, director and performer |
| 2011 | Raymond Jacobson | Sculptor and visual artists including major works at Bridge Square, Riverwalk, Carleton College, Northfield Public Library and many others |
