ABOUT ARTS@MIT > ARTS AWARDS

Eugene McDermott Award

The Eugene McDermott Award in the Arts is among the country's most esteemed arts awards. Established to honor Eugene McDermott, founder of Texas Instruments and long-time friend and benefactor to MIT, the award was created by the Council for the Arts at MIT in 1974, and further endowed by Eugene's wife, Margaret. Since its inception, the Council has bestowed the award upon 32 individuals producing creative work in the performing, visual and media arts, as well as authors, art historians and patrons of the arts.

Over the years the award has grown in stature and significance, paralleling a period of exceptional growth and achievement in the arts at MIT. Award recipients are chosen by a committee of Council Members, Arts Faculty and guests. The Committee seeks nominees whose work represents the very highest level of achievement in their fields, and whose presence would represent a significant enhancement to the creative life of the MIT community. A significant cash prize is bestowed with the award, which is considered an investment in the individual's future creative work, rather than a prize for a particular project or lifetime of achievement. Awardees participate in a short campus residency, working within various departments and interrelated disciplines with students, faculty, and staff.

Award Recipients