SGCI Printmaking Legacy Award

The SGCI Printmaking Legacy Award honors individuals whose sustained professional contributions have had a significant and lasting impact on the field of printmaking.

The award recognizes the many ways individuals build, advance, and sustain the printmaking community—not only through higher education, but also through artistic practice, mentorship, institution-building, community engagement, and professional service.

A printmaking legacy may take many forms, including:

• Sustained teaching, mentorship, or leadership in printmaking education
• Founding or sustaining a community print shop or printmaking organization
• Founding or developing a printmaking-focused residency program
• Founding or developing a print-focused gallery, museum, or institutional program
• Significant contributions as a collaborative or fine-art printer
• Sustained leadership or service to SGCI or other printmaking organizations
• Creating significant opportunities for artists and advancing the broader printmaking community

The award recognizes the impact and legacy of a career, rather than a single achievement or position.

Nominations

The SGCI Printmaking Legacy Award is based on nominations submitted by SGCI members in good standing. Nominees must also be members in good standing.

Nominations may include:

• A brief biography of the nominee
• A statement describing the nominee’s contribution and lasting impact in the field of printmaking
• Selected career highlights or CV
• Optional letters of support

Nominations should demonstrate how the nominee’s sustained contributions have helped shape, advance, or strengthen the printmaking community.

Award

The recipient will receive:

• Lifetime SGCI membership
• Up to $500 in travel support and hotel accommodation during the SGCI Conference
• Recognition during the SGCI Awards program

Excellence in Teaching Printmaking Award

The SGCI Excellence in Teaching Printmaking Award is awarded to an individual who has made an outstanding contribution to teaching printmaking and has demonstrated excellence in their own creative work. All qualified nominees will be considered regardless of academic rank, grade level, educational setting or institutional affiliation. Nominations are requested from the SGCI membership. International applicants are encouraged. 

From the pool of nominations, three finalists are carefully chosen, culminating in a final selection by the SGCI membership. The recipient of this award will be granted a $1,000 honorarium, a registration waiver, hotel accommodations, and a $500 travel allowance to Confluence, the biennial conference in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Winners will also be honored during the Awards Party with a certificate of recognition and will have the option to address the conference. 

Eligible:
SGCI members in good standing who are educators

Not Eligible:
Current SGCI board members, awards committee members or employees, or previous recipients of the Excellence in Teaching Printmaker Award

Application Considerations

25% teaching portfolio – innovative use of print media (including book arts and papermaking), diverse techniques, strong visual and conceptual component 

25% artistic portfolio – innovative use of print media, diverse techniques, strong visual and conceptual component 

30% CV – strong record of professional experience appropriate to career level, including exhibitions and/or residencies, awards, presentations etc.

20% service to SGCI – active membership, conference attendance and/or volunteerism. 

You have the option to nominate either yourself or another individual for consideration. If you choose to nominate someone else, please ensure that you fill out the application form to the best of your ability and knowledge. All finalists will be contacted November 10 and requested to provide any additional information required for their application.  You must be a member to submit a nomination, and the individual you nominate must be a member in order to accept the nomination. 

SEE PREVIOUS EXCELLENCE IN TEACHING PRINTMAKING AWARDEES HERE

Mid-Career Printmaker Award 

The SGCI Mid-Career Printmaker Award is given to a mid-career artist who has made an outstanding contribution to the field of printmaking with demonstrated excellence in their own creative work. Nominations are requested from the SGCI membership. International applicants are encouraged. 

From the pool of nominations, three finalists are carefully chosen, culminating in a final selection by the SGCI membership. The recipient of this award will be granted a $1,000 honorarium, a registration waiver, hotel accommodations, and a $500 travel allowance to Confluence, the biennial conference in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Winners will also be honored during the Awards Party with a certificate of recognition and will have the option to address the conference. 

Eligible:

SGCI members in good standing who have an established exhibition history and have made significant contributions to the field. 

Not Eligible:
Current SGCI board members, awards committee members or employees, or previous recipients of the SGCI Mid-Career Printmaker Award

Application Considerations:
50% portfolio – innovative use of print media, diverse techniques, strong visual and conceptual component

30% CV – strong record of professional experience appropriate to career level, including exhibitions and/or residencies, awards, presentations etc.

20% service to SGCI – active membership, conference attendance, volunteerism

SEE PREVIOUS MID-CAREER AWARDEES HERE

Emerging Printmaker Award Guidelines 

The SGCI Emerging Printmaker Award recognizes an emerging artist who shows exceptional promise in advancing the field of printmaking through their remarkable creative contributions. Nominations are requested from the SGCI membership. International applicants are encouraged. 

From the pool of nominations, three finalists are carefully chosen, culminating in a final selection by the SGCI membership. The recipient of this award will be granted a $1,000 honorarium, a registration waiver, hotel accommodations, and a $500 travel allowance to Confluence, the biennial conference in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Winners will also be honored during the Awards Party with a certificate of recognition and will have the option to address the conference. 

Eligible:

This award is designed for SGCI members in good standing who are within five years of the beginning of their professional exhibition record. 

Not Eligible:
Current SGCI board members, awards committee members or employees, or previous recipients of the SGCI Emerging Printmaker Award

Application Considerations:
50% portfolio – innovative use of print media, diverse techniques, strong visual and conceptual component

30% CV – strong record of professional experience appropriate to career level, including exhibitions and/or residencies, awards, presentations etc.

20% service to SGCI – active membership, conference attendance, volunteerism

SEE PREVIOUS EMERGING PRINTMAKER AWARDEES HERE

SGCI Student Fellowships

SGCI Student Fellowships are awarded to individuals who exhibit outstanding promise in the fine art practice of printmaking. Each institution may submit the name of one graduate and one undergraduate student candidate. Students may self-nominate, but must have a faculty sponsor who will submit a letter of support (nomination), and must be enrolled at the time of application. Applicants and the faculty sponsor must be SGCI members in good standing. If a nominee is not selected for an SGCI fellowship they can be considered for a Gamblin Award or Awagami Paper Award. 

From the pool of nominations, three finalists are carefully chosen for each category, culminating in a final selection by the SGCI membership. The recipients of the Graduate and Undergraduate Fellowship are featured at the 2029 conference as exhibiting artists. The Student Fellows will be granted a registration waiver, and a $500 travel allowance to the 2029 conference. They will also receive research funding ($500 for undergraduate, $1000 for graduate) one year prior to their exhibition. 

Eligible:

SGCI members in good standing who are enrolled students at the time of application.

Not Eligible:

Current SGCI board members or employees, or previous recipients of the SGCI Student Fellowship Award

Application Considerations:

50% portfolio – innovative use of print media, diverse techniques, strong visual and conceptual component

30% CV – strong record of professional experience appropriate to career level, including exhibitions and/or residencies, awards, presentations etc.

20% service to SGCI – active membership, conference attendance, volunteerism

SEE PREVIOUS STUDENT FELLOWS HERE

Nomination Portal Available October 1-31, 2026

Mid-Career Printmaker Award

Undergraduate Student Fellowship