Texas’ vastness lends itself to many things, including inspiring some of the county’s best artists. Reflecting this, the Texas Cultural Trust has selected the 2025 recipients of the Texas Medal of Arts (TMAA).
The 12th Biennial Awards Ceremony will be held in Austin on February 25 and 26, 2025. According to a press release, the ceremony honors “individuals who have had a profound impact on Texas and beyond,” including literature, visual arts, film, music, and more.
This year’s Austin representatives are musician Gary Clark Jr. and novelist Elizabeth Crook. Another former Austinite, director Richard Linklater, is also on the list of honorees in his new home in Houston. While not all honorees are immediately recognizable to those who don’t work in the arts, three with strong Austin connections work in the popular field.
Gary Clark Jr., like many notable artists, is not constrained by a single genre, especially while continuing to progress, but he does believe in traditional foundations. He is best known for his modern interpretation of the blues while preserving the original. Clark began his career at Austin’s famous blues club Antone’s and has since won four Grammy Awards.
“I am honored to join other esteemed artists as recipients of the 2025 Texas Medal of Arts,” Clark said in a press release. “We are looking forward to the February event and look forward to seeing everyone.”
Richard Linklater became an Austen hero thanks to the movie Dazed and Confused. The movie is a ’90s stoner comedy filmed at local spots like Top Notch Burgers and Violet Crowne Plaza. It also gave one of the most iconic roles to actor Matthew McConaughey, a 2019 Texas Arts Award nominee. Austinites went wild for the first cast reunion event in 30 years at the Paramount Theater in September, proving the film’s still relevance decades later. He is also known for Boyhood, filmed in Austin, and recently directed Hitman, starring Austin’s new sensation Glen Powell.
Elizabeth Crook has published six novels. The Which Way Tree is her most famous work, depicting a young girl’s journey across the Texas frontier to hunt the leopard that killed her mother. A native of Nacogdoches, San Marcos, and Washington, D.C., Crook now lives in Austin and won the Texas Writer’s Award at last year’s Texas Book Festival.
The 2025 Texas Medal of Arts recipients are:
Terry Allen, Lubbock: Multimedia Mercedes Bus, Fort Worth: Arts Patron/Individual.Gary Clark Jr., Austin: Music/SongwriterElizabeth Crook, Austen: LiteratureSandy Duncan, New London: Musical Theatre.Richard Linklater, Houston: Film/DirectorDonald Moffett, San Antonio: Visual Arts.Moody Foundation, Galveston: Arts Patron/Foundation.Texas Music Educators Association: Arts EducationDennis Quaid, Houston: Movie/Actor
They join 129 recipients since 2001.
“Texans leave an indelible mark on the arts and cultural landscape and inspire future generations,” Texas Cultural Trust CEO Heidi Marquez Smith said in a release. “We have created a legacy.” “We are thrilled to honor these outstanding creative leaders at the 12th biennial Texas Medal of Arts, which once again emphasizes the importance of supporting the arts and creative sector. ”
The Texas Cultural Trust is a nonprofit organization working to increase access to and visibility of the arts throughout Texas. The two-day gala, including brunches, dinners and awards ceremonies, will be held at private residences, the Governor’s Mansion and the Long Center for the Performing Arts. Tickets ($150) can be purchased at txct.org.
