What you need to know about the revamped Texas Medal of Arts

After skipping the 2021 biennial ceremony because of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Texas Medal of Arts will bring back the class and the glam to the Long Center for the Performing Arts on Feb. 22.

While some of the associated events, such as a tented formal dinner, are virtually sold out, the Texas Cultural Trust, which advocates for arts and arts education in the state, has opened up the large Dell Hall to the public for single-tickets sales this year.

Which Texans will be honored this year?

According to the official description, the Texas Medal of Arts Awards honor "Texas leaders and luminaries who have achieved excellence through their creative talents, as well as those whose generosity has opened doors to artistic opportunity for Texans of all ages."

• Film/actor: Luke Wilson, Dallas

• Music: Christopher Cross, San Antonio

• Music/songwriter: Miranda Lambert, Lindale

• Film/producer: Taylor Sheridan, Weatherford

• Dance: Septime Webre, Brownsville

• Visual arts: Deborah Roberts, Austin

• Design: Lela Rose, Dallas

• Literary arts: Benjamin Alire Saenz, El Paso

• Architecture: Miró Rivera Architects, Austin

• Arts/health: Center for Performing Arts Medicine, Houston

• Lifetime achievement/musical theatre: Carole Cook, Abilene

How did the last Medal of Arts go back in 2019?

Believe me, it was sleek, snappy, classy, entertaining and illuminating. Unlike most awards shows, it zipped along with extraordinary performances, short speeches and plenty of prerecorded media.

"To pull the two-day, three-event experience together, I knew we needed to be thoughtful of every detail, making sure everyone understands why the arts in Texas are so important," says Heidi Marquez Smith, CEO of the Cultural Trust. "My goal was to ensure that every guest and participant understood that they just didn’t fund an incredible celebration, but that their generosity and participation were helping us to increase awareness, access and support for the arts across Texas."

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Then the pandemic happened. How did the Cultural Trust bounce back?

It wasn't easy. They postponed, rescheduled and finally canceled the 2021 event. Luckily, since the event is the main fundraiser for the group, many sponsors and donors allowed the Cultural Trust to keep the money. That let the nonprofit to help other Texas arts groups, educators and advocates get through the worst.

"Recalling this warms my heart," Marquez says. "It also reinforced that what we do matters, it makes a difference, and people care about the arts."

Hey wait, haven't I already seen this list of honorees before?

Yes, they had been announced long before the canceled 2021 ceremony, and all the honorees hoped to attend. Yet as another wave in the pandemic crested, the Cultural Trust decided against either an in-person or digital show.

"We knew we could not host a virtual event," Smith says, "so this group of luminaries and legends have been waiting to receive their medal for almost four years now."

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How will this be different from previous ceremonies?

For one thing, there's a new physical medal, redesigned by sculptor James Surls, a 2013 medal recipient.

And there's a new medal category that recognizes excellence in arts in health.

Marquez Smith says: "This is a field that is increasing dramatically, not only in Texas but around the world."

There also will be more performers onstage than ever before, including a live fashion component highlighting dresses from Lela Rose’s latest collection.

Another change: More pre-recorded acceptance speeches, much like the Kennedy Center Honors

In 2019, honorees were asked to speak about the importance of the arts in their lives.

"While this was incredible for us to hear and capture, these very passionate and meaningful stories and messages were live and hard to keep to three to four minutes, let alone 15 to 20 minutes," Marquez Smith says. "All this to say, we are fitting a lot into a 60-to-75-minute show. And we don’t want to cue the music on our honorees. To be respectful of the time and to honor the wishes of some of the award recipients not to have to speak, we decided to do something like the Kennedy Center Honors, where the honorees are celebrated in videos and images and spotlighted during the show."

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What about the dinner that's attached to the ceremony?

Pretty much sold out, with only a few individual seats and possibly a sponsor table — which go for thousands of dollars — left. Remember that this is a fundraiser, so prices are high.

What’s the dress for the ceremony?

The invitation reads black-tie optional. You're in Texas, so of course you will see a little bit of everything, from sequins to long gowns and Western wear.

Marquez Smith says, "Personally, I love to see guests take artistic liberties in their attire. Be festive!"

How much are tickets for the ceremony alone, and how can I get them?

They go for $150 and can be purchased at txculturaltrust.org/2023-TMAA-tickets.

This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: Texas Medal of Arts 2023 honors the best in music, film, arts