This year, the Artists 360 Creative Impact Award recognizes John Rankine of Eureka Springs, Arkansas, for his achievements in the arts. The Creative Impact Award provides one exceptional artist based in Northwest Arkansas with unrestricted funds of $25,000 and professional development opportunities, including retreats that facilitate network building. Candidates are selected through both nominations and formal applications.
John Rankine is a multimedia artist who originally hails from Toronto, Canada, and has made Eureka Springs home with his husband for the past 28 years. Working in a variety of mediums, Rankine was the recipient of an Arkansas Individual Fellowship award for outstanding achievement in the arts in 2011 for his installation, “A Community At Peace.” He also received an Artist 360 grant for his photographic series, “Men With Earrings” in 2017. He is the co-owner of Brews, a coffee/craft beer/gallery establishment where he has been curating rotating art exhibitions every six weeks for the past ten years.
“At almost 70 years of age, I have been creating artwork for many years, and also encouraging other artists through friendship and the curatorial process,” says Rankine. “I can’t begin to express the validation this award has given me – to be recognized by a jury of peers for my life’s work and for the impact they believe I’ve made on our city’s community of artists.”
Eureka Springs, with its storied 90-year legacy as a bastion for artists of all mediums, finds a true champion in Rankine. His influence spans nearly three decades, during which his steadfast involvement shaped the town’s artistic identity. Known for his inclusivity and encouragement, Rankine tirelessly endeavors to provide platforms for both emerging and seasoned artists.
One nomination (of many!) succinctly summarized John Rankine’s contributions to the arts community in Eureka Springs as “profound and far-reaching,” adding that “his visionary leadership, coupled with his dedication to supporting artists at all levels, has created a thriving arts ecosystem that continues to flourish. His efforts have not only elevated the town’s cultural profile but have also had a lasting impact on the lives of countless artists, a testament to the enduring value of his work.”
In acknowledging John Rankine’s contributions, the Artists 360 Creative Impact Award recognizes not only his artistic impact but also his unwavering commitment to community-building. His dedication has firmly established him as a cornerstone of Eureka Springs’ flourishing arts community with pride.