The Cultural Arts division of the City of Chula Vista is pleased to once again accept nominations for the Gayle McCandliss Arts Awards for 2025. Established in 1991, the Gayle McCandliss Arts Awards were created to recognize individuals and groups who made a substantial contribution toward the arts in Chula Vista.

DEADLINE FOR NOMINATIONS IS MAY 18, 2025

Here are the categories for the McCandliss Arts Awards:

• RISING STAR - Recognizes artistic achievement by youth artists in the visual, performing, and literary arts. Nominees must be age 16 – 21. Self-nominations are allowed. A maximum of two Rising Star awardees will be selected for this year. Each awardee will receive $300 and will be honored at a City Council meeting.
• ARTISTIC ACHIEVEMENT - Recognizes artistic achievement by an individual whose work has helped build community pride and appreciation of the arts in Chula Vista. Nominees must be age 18 or older to apply. One Artistic Achievement nominee will be awarded for this year. The awardee will receive $500 and will be honored at a City Council meeting.
• LITERARY ARTS - Recognizes achievement in the literary arts by an individual whose work has helped build better community understanding and appreciation of the literary arts in Chula Vista. Nominees must be age 18 or older to apply. One Literary Arts Award nominee will be awarded for this year. The awardee will receive $500 and will be honored at a City Council meeting.
• DISTINGUISHED SERVICE IN THE ARTS - Recognizes community service by an individual or groups who have volunteered time and donated resources in support of the arts in Chula Vista. One Distinguished Service awardee will be selected for this year. The awardee will be honored at a City Council meeting. There is no monetary award for the Distinguished Service award.