Dennis Quaid

The Texas Cultural Trust, established in 1995, is a nonprofit dedicated to supporting and increasing access and awareness for the arts across the state. The organization’s programs include the Texas Medal of Arts Awards, Arts Access, Art Can, Texas Young Masters, Texas Women for the Arts and Partners in the Arts.

“Texans have left an indelible mark on the arts and culture landscape, creating a legacy that inspires future generations,” says Texas Cultural Trust CEO Heidi Marquez Smith. “We are thrilled to celebrate these outstanding creative leaders at the 12th biennial Texas Medal of Arts Awards, reinforcing the importance of supporting the arts and creative sectors.”

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Past TMAA honorees include Jamie Foxx, Matthew McConaughey, Miranda Lambert, Eva Longoria, ZZ Top, Willie Nelson, Boz Scaggs, Dan Rather, Neiman Marcus, H-E-B, Margaret McDermott, Tommy Lee Jones, Bob Schieffer, Debbie Allen, Robert Rodriguez, Walter Cronkite, Lawrence Wright, Sandra Cisneros, Lyle Lovett, Texas Monthly, Brandon Maxwell and Exxon Mobil.

The 2025 Texas Medal of Arts Honorees include:

Terry Allen, Lubbock: Multimedia

Mercedes Bass, Fort Worth: Arts Patron/Individual

Gary Clark Jr., Austin: Music/Songwriter

Elizabeth Crook, Austin: Literary Arts

Sandy Duncan, New London: Musical Theatre

Richard Linklater, Houston: Film/Director

Donald Moffett, San Antonio: Visual Arts

Moody Foundation, Galveston: Arts Patron/Foundation

Texas Music Educators Association: Arts Education

Dennis Quaid, Houston: Film/Actor