Frick Arts Foundation announces cash awards for upcoming and breakout artists in Austin, Texas. The second annual awards of $1000 each were granted to ten artists in September. 2025 awards were given to Arielle Austin, Elizabeth Hudson, Ryan Runcie, Morgan Grigsby, Ann Armstrong, Andie Flores, Diana Sexton, Via Boley, Lauren Hana Chai and Montrel Beverly.

“These 10 artists encapsulate what’s new and fresh from the thriving Austin Art community” said Kevin Ivester, director of Frick Arts Foundation, and owner of Ivester Contemporary. “Austin has a lot of talent, we want people who don’t spend a lot of time thinking about art to start paying attention.”

The Frick Arts Foundation was formed a year ago explicitly to support the growing Austin visual arts community and offer emotional encouragement to artists at the most difficult beginning stage of their careers. For the second year, the awards have no strings attached, no applications, with 10 surprise awards granted every year.

“Artists making new work is what makes a growing city feel unique.” Said Laurie Frick, Artist and director of Frick Arts Foundation. “Austin is bursting at the seams, it’s time people who live here, personally put money into funding artists.”

In an unusual move, Frick Arts Foundation was founded in 2024 without massive donations or huge expectations of fund-raising with the belief that smaller amounts of cash and a handful of people with a good eye for talent could make a difference. “All of us has experienced that moment in our lives when a bit of encouragement gave us a huge boost” said Mark Frick, director of Frick Arts Foundation. “You don’t need to be a billionaire to support the arts community in Austin, ping us if you want tips how to do it.”

This year’s nominations and jury were led by influencers of the Austin arts scene. Phillip Townsend, Ph.D, historian, curator and lecturer University of Texas, Laura Wehrman, founder and director LandSPACE ATX, Kevin Ivester, founder Ivester Contemporary Gallery, Austin.

For more information about the Frick Arts Foundation and its initiatives, please visit https://www.frickartsfoundation.com/ or follow us on social media at https://www.instagram.com/frickartsfoundation/

About Frick Arts Foundation
Established in 2024, Frick Arts Foundation is a non-profit dedicated to supporting the vibrant yet often unseen artistic talents within our community. Our mission is to discover, nurture, and promote underappreciated artists in Austin, Texas, by providing them with the financial support and public recognition they deserve. https://www.frickartsfoundation.com/