2010 Baker Artist Awards, Behind the Scenes at MPT

Back in April, I had the honor of photographing behind the scenes at Maryland Public Television for the announcement of the winners of the 2010 Baker Artist Awards.  "The William G. Baker, Jr. Memorial Fund established the Baker Artist Awards to recognize Baltimore’s artists and engage the public in supporting their work. The 2010 Baker Artist Awards consists of two separate prizes, the Mary Sawyers Baker Prize and Baltimore's Choice."  The Baker Award "B" trophy is given to winners of both categories, and is an excellent prop for photographic purposes:

Keveh Haerian, one of the recipients of the Baltimore's Choice Prize, with the Baker Award "B"

The innovative application process of the Baker Artist Awards is simple - you register at www.bakerartistawards.org, create a "profile", and upload samples of your artwork.  And that's it.  There are a few guidelines, for the most part that you be over 21 and live in Baltimore (and/or surrounding counties).  As any and all mediums are accepted, the website enables applicants to upload images, text, video, sound, etc.  The only limitations are on file size and the amount any one nominee can upload in a 24 hour period.     

Up to three Mary Sawyers Baker Prize winners are selected from the site's applicants (or "nominees") by a private jury and awarded up to $25,000 each, to be used at their discretion.  As in, they are in encouraged to spend it however they see fit.  As in, "You're a pretty amazing artist.  Here's a boat load of money for you.  Enjoy."  Pretty sweet.

The 2010 winners of the Mary Sawyers Baker Prize: Richard Cleaver , Karin Yasinsky , and Peter Minkler (click names to view nominations)

The Baltimore's Choice Prize is a $1,000 cash prize awarded to up to five artists.  The winner's are decided by a voting system through the Baker Artist Awards website.  Anyone who registers on the site is given a vote, and more votes can be earned through further participation on the website (ie: commenting, voting, nominating, etc.).

The 2010 Baltimore's Choice Prize winners: Steven Parke, Amanda Fair, Keveh Haerian, Kelly Walker, and Shodekeh Talifero

 
CLICK HERE to read more about the awards, and be sure to check out the some of the other nominations!