An evening filled with awards, live performances, a gallery featuring the works of the winners and finalists, open bar, food, and a live art raffle. NEW THIS YEAR - a sit down dinner and FREE valet parking.

Following more than 100 nominations from the field, a panel of cultural representatives from throughout Western New York selected the winners. They are:

•     Lifetime Achievement – Saul Elkin (Shakespeare in Delaware Park and Jewish Repertory Theatre of Western New York)

•     Arts Integration – Elgin Wolfe and Tri-Main Development (Tri-Main Center)

•     Advocate for the Cultural Sector – Niagara Tourism and Convention Corp

•     Cultural Ambassador – Tom Toles (Washington Post)

•     DEC Program of the Year – Buffalo Laboratory Theatre & 710 Main Theatre for “Mystery of the Silver Chalice”

•     Rising Star – University Heights Arts Association

•     Supporter of the Cultural Sector – Buffalo Spree magazine

•     Unsung Hero – Carl Klingenschmitt & Sue Fay Allen (for their work with the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra)

The panel also selected finalists in the following categories, with the winners to be announced at the event:

Artist of the Year:

•     Zuri Elise Appleby

•     Chuck Tingley

•     Adam Zyglis (The Buffalo News)

Cultural Organization of the Year:

•     Buffalo Choral Arts Society

•     Just Buffalo Literary Center

•     Theodore Roosevelt Inaugural National Historic Site

This year’s Spark Cultural Awards Party is chaired by last year’s Supporter of the Cultural Sector Rick Smith (Rigidized Metals Corporation) and is hosted by WIVB-TV's Teresa Weakley.

Tickets are $75, with patron tickets, patron tables, and sponsorships also available at www.asiwny.org. A limited number of free tickets are available through ASI's Arts Access Program at www.arts-access.org.

Proceeds of the Spark Awards will benefit ASI’s capacity building, collaboration, and advocacy efforts for the cultural sector in five counties; all of which is provided free of charge.