Academy of Western Artists

     A dedicated group formed to recognize and honor outstanding individuals who, through their accomplishments, preserve and perpetuate the traditions, values and heritage of the American Cowboy. The Academy of Western Artists is a group of people actively involved in the contemporary cowboy heritage movement who wish to give recognition to those who excel at writing and performing traditional and contemporary western music and poetry, those who with skill and artistry manufacture the gear of the cowboy trade, those who continue the time-honored arts of campfire and chuckwagon cookery, those who expand and refine the music of western swing, and those working cowboys who compete in the sport of ranch rodeo.

     The purpose of the organization is four fold: 

• 1. To recognize those individuals who, through outstanding personal accomplishments, have helped to preserve and perpetuate the traditions, values and heritage of the American Cowboy; 

• 2. To help promote and maintain the authenticity of various western heritage events nationwide by providing a means of access for those who are interested in becoming involved with the movement with those who are ifs foundation; 

• 3. To preserve and protect the positive values inherent in the cowboy image and to maintain the link with all that supports the image in the face of consolidation in the cattle industry, media pressure and changes in contemporary society; 

• 4. To give recognition and encouragement to those individuals who are bringing the cowboy movement into the 21st century through their contemporary work and by carrying on the traditions of those who preceded them.

We encourage you to Join the other concerned individuals who formed the AWA to keep the "Cowboy" in the "Cowboy Heritage Movement." Through the AWA, you can help foster interaction between people within the movement and with people outside the movement who are interested in participating in some way. The Annual Awards Show was organized to help promote awareness of the depth and breadth of the movements as well as highlighting the year's outstanding group and individual works.

Bobby Newton , Director