Stecher & Horowitz
Power of Innovation Award

The Stecher & Horowitz Power of Innovation Award is a $10,000 prize presented annually to a young professional artist/teacher who embodies an entrepreneurial spirit and innovative approach in their life and work. Applicants for the award must submit documentation that demonstrates accomplishment in and commitment to four specific aspects of professional endeavor:

Artistic Excellence
Pedagogical Leadership
Nurturing Spirit
Community Service

The $10,000 prize is funded by Melvin Stecher and Norman Horowitz, whose own life and work as artists, pedagogues and entrepreneurs epitomize the values of the Power of Innovation Award.

The deadline for application is November 5, 2024. The recipient will be notified in early January 2025. The presentation of the award will be at the 2025 MTNA National Conference Awards Brunch in Minneapolis, Minnesota, on March 19, 2025.

Application Guidelines

Eligibility

Applicant must be 36 years old or younger as of November 5, 2024.
Applicant must be a current active member of MTNA.
Open to artist/teachers of all instruments and voice.

Application Materials

Current contact information including name, address, phone, and email.
Applicant profile information including a current resume and date of birth.
Four essays and supporting media/documents for each that demonstrate innovation and success in the following areas:

Artistic Excellence (Essay and performance video)
Pedagogical Leadership (Essay and teaching video)
Nurturing Spirit (Essay and choice of a video, article, report or other document)
Community Service (Essay and choice of a video, article, report or other document)

Selection Process

A three-person panel of adjudicators will evaluate each applicant's essays and documentation.
60% of the evaluation is based on the quality of work in each area (15% per area).
40% of the evaluation is based on the overall impression of the creativity and innovative spirit of the applicant's professional endeavors.

Application Deadline

All essays and documentation must be received no later than November 5, 2024, 3:00 p.m. Eastern Time.
Questions should be directed to the MTNA National Headquarters at mtnanet@mtna.org or by calling (513) 421-1420.