Investing in the Arts | 2025 | News & Stories

As the Neddy Artist Awards celebrate three decades of supporting visual artists across Washington, it’s marking a milestone that underscores a simple but powerful truth: When artists thrive, communities flourish. 

And to that end, the program is living out its mission by investing even more in artists.

Established in 1996 by the Behnke Foundation, the Neddy Artist Awards honor the life and work of Seattle painter and teacher Robert E. (Ned) Behnke. The award began as a single $10,000 unrestricted grant recognizing artistic excellence, innovation and community commitment among artists living and working in the Puget Sound region. 

For 2026, Neddy will award two unrestricted awards of $30,000 and six finalist awards of $3,000, making it one of Washington state’s most significant artist award programs. 

Applications for the 2026 Neddy Artist Awards open on November 14, 2025, and close Friday, January 9, 2026. There is no application fee and artists can apply through Submittable.

This year’s “30 at 30” theme—a nod to its anniversary and $30,000 grand prize—reflects both meaning and purpose.

“There’s no better way to mark three decades than by doubling down on our commitment to artists,” says Sanoe Stevenson-Egeland, Neddy Artist Awards Manager at Cornish College of the Arts at Seattle University, who adds that private funding plays a crucial role in sustaining the arts, especially after recent national funding cuts.

“In 2025, the National Endowment for the Arts canceled numerous grants totaling more than $27 million, leaving organizations across the nation with significant, unexpected budget cuts overnight,” she explains. “As a steward of arts funding, I’m always looking for ways to strengthen our partnerships and enrich our arts communities as much as possible.” 

The response to the increased awards has been overwhelmingly positive. “Artists are thrilled,” says Stevenson-Egeland. “I’ve talked to many people who were already considering applying for the first time and this announcement gave them the extra push they needed. I’m confident we’ll see more applicants this year.”

Since it began, 50 artists have received Neddy awards, Stevenson-Egeland says. “Over the last 30 years, these artists have used their unrestricted funds to do everything from lease a new studio space to collecting and donating works by other artists to redistribute wealth. Raising our awards means more money directly into artists’ pockets. We want to give more so that artists can do more.” 

Celebrating Legacy, Expanding Opportunity 

In 2011, the Behnke Foundation entrusted stewardship of the Neddy to Cornish, where the program expanded its reach and accessibility. The number of awards increased, the nomination system shifted to a public application process and rotating juror roles were introduced to ensure equity and inclusion. 

“Stewardship by an institution allowed the Neddy Awards to grow in so many beneficial ways,” says Stevenson-Egeland. “We were able to increase award amounts, establish a more accessible process and strengthen our commitment to equity and representation.”

That growth continued in 2022, when the Behnke family gifted the Behnke Family Gallery to the Cornish campus in South Lake Union—a permanent home for the annual Neddy Artist Awards exhibition.

Now, as Cornish is in its first academic year as part of Seattle University, the program continues to evolve. Stevenson-Egeland says the transition “ushers in a new era of collaboration and possibility,” one that strengthens the connection between higher education, creativity and the regional arts ecosystem. 

A Ripple Effect Across the Arts Community 

For Stevenson-Egeland—an artist herself—the Neddy’s impact is deeply personal. 

“My favorite part of my role is supporting artists in so many different ways,” she says. “Some I know well, some I know of and others I don’t know at all, but with each artist who comes through our program, I get to witness their growth and impact firsthand.” 

While the financial support is transformative, the program’s broader opportunities—curator and juror visits, educational programming, video shoots and exhibitions—offer equally lasting benefits. “That’s one of the most meaningful aspects of unrestricted funding—artists can find freedom in more ways than one.”

Apply Today

Eligible applicants must live in the Puget Sound region and be permanent U.S. residents. Further restrictions may apply. Learn more about eligibility and award criteria, cornish.edu/neddy-artist-award or email neddyinfo@seattle.edu.