Awards ceremonies are nothing new. In fact they have been around for a
long time. Music and theatre award giving dates back even into Greek and
Roman times when artists and writers would compete for titles at
festivals specifically created to crown those most talented.

Kings and Queens would often showcase their most talented artists by
giving special employ in the court to create entertainment for them and
sometimes about them. Those artists that had the good fortune to be
employed be favored by the court could count on a regular income and
sometimes far reaching popularity during their own time.

This spirit of award-giving has lasted into our century. We award
artists in the community through grants and endowments. Giving them
money to create the visual and performance art that enriches our
communities and makes them better places to live. This monetary award
giving in some ways harkens back to days gone by when an artist counted
on the court for favor.

Nowadays, though, the ceremonies surrounding the crowning of the most
popular or well known artists is a show in and of itself. Many of these
programs stand on their own as a spectacle to bestow favor. These
ceremonies span many genres of music, theatre, film and visual art. For
most people the most recognizable shows being the CMAs (Country Music
Awards), MTV, Tony’s and Oscars.

These award shows focus on our love of spectacle, celebrity, glitz and
glamour. They seem quite modern, but, again, are no different than
festivals of ancient times. The attendees are often the most widely
known in the industry that they are representing. Just as people
competed for titles or to be the most favored in Greek or Shakespearean
times, artists do the same now.

In music, producers, musicians, singers and songwriters are all
recognized. For theatre and musical theatre, again the producers,
musicians, singers, playwrights, songwriters, technical crew and staff,
designers, make-up artists and actors are all among the appreciated.
Film is very much the same, with producer, screenwriters, directors,
actors and many, many others being praised.

It’s important to notice though that these awards ceremonies aren’t just
happening at the very far-end of the spectrum. It isn’t just Hollywood
or Broadway that makes time to honor its artists. Small communities,
community theatres, local music alliances and other grass-roots
organizations all take the time to thank and praise their artists. Even
small towns recognize the enrichment that a healthy arts community
brings.

So, when you find yourself enjoying another evening of awards ceremony
programming, consider the history and value of the celebration. As lofty
as it sounds, you are participating in history. The act of honoring,
celebrating and awarding artists is an ancient practice and will likely
continue for millennia.