The Island Treasure Award Process
The working process for the selection of the Island Treasures is an adaptation of that used for identifying the MacArthur Foundation Fellows. Nominators write a letter to the Island Treasure Awards committee, answering a few questions about their nominee describing the person they are nomination. The nominations focus on the quality and the creativity of the nominees work and how this work has benefitted the cultural fabric of Bainbridge Island. These nominations are researched by the ITA committee and then passed on to the jurors on the selection panel. After the panel has made the selection, the names are presented to the ITA committee who then notifies the winners. The winning candidates are asked not to tell anyone outside their own family until the results are announced publicly in January.
A celebration is held in February/March to honor the newest Island Treasures. Each Treasure receives a $5,000 award.
Island Treasure Nominators
Anyone interesting in serving as a nominator, acting under strict guidelines of anonymity (both regarding their role as nominator and who they have nominated), is asked to identify up to two people whose body of work displays a unique voice and vision as well as an ongoing commitment to their chosen field. In additional a nominee has constantly inspired their peers and offered the community at large a different way of seeing ourselves and the world around us.
After reviewing the nomination materials (see below), nominators write a letter of recommendation – not exceeding 2 pages – describing their candidate’s special abilities in the chosen field and how he or she meets the criteria described above. This letter is further described on the Nomination Form. Letters of nomination are sent to the Island Treasure Awards Committee and the nominators are asked to maintain complete confidentiality for their role and who they have nominated. We are only able to consider complete nominations, including the Nomination Form and accompanying letter.
The nomination criteria are explained in the Nomination Cover Letter. There is also an FAQ Page to review and a Nomination Form that is to be submitted with the nomination. Additional questions about nominating someone for the Island Treasure Award can be directed to info@IslandTreasureAwards.org or by calling 206-842-1246.
Nominations that are not selected within a particular jury cycle are retained for subsequent reconsideration in future years.
- How to Nominate
- Nomination FAQs
- Complete the Island Treasure Awards nomination form one of two ways:
Please note that members of the Island Treasure Committee and past Island Treasures are not eligible for nomination.
Island Treasure Jurors
The selection committee serves confidentially and are chosen for their breadth of experience and their familiarity with the arts and humanities on Bainbridge Island. The jurors bring experience from many different cultural perspectives and serve a two year term. The jurors are given a packet of nomination materials and then meet for a day of deliberation guided by a facilitator. The jurors arrive at their decisions and then disband after promising not to reveal any aspect of the procedure or their participation in it.