ABOUT THE AWARDS

Every fall since 2003, The Stranger has given a check for $5,000 and an obscene amount of attention to five artists in five disciplines. Also, cake—winners are notified via cake. Sometimes we reward achievement. Sometimes we reward promise. Sometimes we reward institutions. Sometimes we reward shoestring guerilla groups. Sometimes we reward people who need the money. Sometimes we don’t.

The panel consists of the full-time critics at The Stranger. There is no application process; all an artist has to do be considered is make original work that provokes critical attention. Then The Stranger’s critics meet in a private boxing gym inside a cave and conduct deliberations while sparring. After it’s all settled, there’s a big fancy party and concert in honor of the Geniuses.

For the 11th anniversary of the Genius Awards, past grant recipients—henceforth known as the League of Geniuses—will participate in the selection, Academy Awards-style.

The shortlist for this year’s Genius Awards will crash into view in the summer issue of A&P, published June 5. Three finalists for each category—art, theater, literature, film, music—will be announced, along with an argument for each finalist about why this should be their year. After a secret ballot, the winners will be revealed live at the Genius Awards party on September 28 at the Moore Theatre. Profiles of the winners will be published in the following issue of The Stranger, along with documentation of the latest induction into the League of Geniuses (i.e., amazing party photos). You can’t miss it. Seriously, we won’t let you.

To get involved, contact:

Carey Christie, Director of Events & Promotions