Wildish Community Theater Announces 2025 Springfield Arts and Culture Awards
The Directors of the Richard E. Wildish Community Theater Board are thrilled to announce the 2025 Springfield Arts and Culture Awards (SACA), an event that celebrates the artistic spirit and cultural diversity of our community. This year’s celebration will take place on April 5, 2025, in downtown Springfield, bringing together artists, visionaries, and art enthusiasts to honor the individuals and organizations that make Springfield a vibrant cultural hub.
Event details
Nominee Cocktail Party at the Emerald Arts Center – April 5, 2025 (4:30 – 6:00pm)
On Saturday, April 5, the public is invited to a special cocktail party to appreciate the nominees’ artistic contributions. Guests will have the opportunity to review submissions, meet the nominees, and engage with the artwork that has earned them a spot in this prestigious event.
2025 Springfield Arts and Culture Awards Ceremony at the Wildish Community Theater – April 5, 2025 (6:30pm)
The highlight of the weekend will be the formal Arts and Culture Awards ceremony at the Wildish Community Theater starting at 6:30 pm. This special evening will include the presentation of awards across several categories, honoring excellence in various art forms. The awards will be accompanied by a live performance from local jazz sensation Calvin Orlando Smith, who will be joined by members of the Swing Shift Jazz Orchestra, Sean Peterson on Bass, Jim Douglas on Drums and Gus Russell on Piano. Their soulful melodies will complement the evening’s celebrations.
Dan Egan will then present the Dan Egan Arts Scholarship award to a hard working and deserving Springfield student to help with their college aspirations.
The master of ceremonies, Ryan Young, Vice President of the Wildish Theater Board, will highlight each nominee’s contribution to the community and present awards.
Additionally, a special video preview created by Princess Mason, one of the story collection team members for this year’s ILLUMINATION project of the Springfield History Museum, will spotlight stories from Springfield’s American Indian and Alaskan Native community, highlighting their rich history and contemporary contributions to the cultural landscape.
Awards Ceremony Tickets: $30 for Adults, $20 for Seniors, and $15 for Students and Artists. Tickets can be purchased through the Wildish Community Theater’s website.
The Springfield Arts and Culture Awards is Springfield’s own “night of recognition” for local artists, much like the Grammy Awards are for musicians. It will be an evening where Springfield’s creative spirit shines, and those who elevate the community through their artistry are celebrated.
About the Richard E. Wildish Community Theater
Opened in 2006, the Richard E. Wildish Community Theater is the premiere entertainment destination for the greater Springfield area. The theater features 275 seats in stadium seating and there is truly “not a bad seat in the house.” The excellent acoustics and flexible stage showcase the wide array of activities that have become a calling card for the facility. The Wildish Board of Directors is committed to the mission of offering a professional facility at accessible costs. Four of the area’s most popular arts organizations now call the Wildish their “artistic home.” More than twenty other arts and business groups regularly use the Wildish.
