365betÌåÓýÔÚÏßÊÀ½ç±­

Flagstaff’s vibrant arts community is gearing up for one of its most anticipated events of the year. Known affectionately as the “Oscars of Flagstaff,� the Viola Awards celebrate excellence across various creative disciplines, honoring the artists, educators and organizations that shape the city’s rich cultural landscape. 

The Viola Awards, presented by Creative Flagstaff, will take place on Saturday, April 26, at The Orpheum Theater downtown. The event will begin with a VIP hour from 5 to 6 p.m., offering sponsors, finalists and panelists an opportunity to mingle over catered hors d’oeuvres. General admission opens at 6 p.m., with the show officially starting at 6:30 p.m.

Attendees can expect an electrifying opening performance involving ABBA’s iconic hit “Dancing Queen,� which perfectly complements this year’s theme.

“Since it’s our 17th year, we went with the Dancing Queen theme because of the line ‘young and sweet, only 17,’� explains Dani Commanda, Viola Awards coordinator. “We’re hoping to start with a bang and get everyone on their feet singing and dancing along.�

The evening will be filled with musical and theatrical performances, showcasing some of the year’s finalists and creating an immersive and celebratory experience.

Honoring creative excellence

This year, 11 categories will spotlight outstanding contributions in the creative sector. Categories include:

• Excellence in Performing Arts
• Excellence in Visual Arts
• Excellence in Music
• Excellence in Storytelling
• Excellence in Education (divided into individual and organization categories)
• Community Impact (also split into individual and organization)
• Excellence in Collaboration
• Emerging Artist
• Local Artisan Award (a new category introduced this year)

The Local Artisan Award celebrates the craftsmanship of local creatives.

“We have a tattoo artist, a blacksmith, a jewelry maker and a ceramicist as finalists,� Commanda says. 

The Legacy Award, a staple category, celebrates long-term contributions to Flagstaff’s creative community. This year’s Legacy Award will honor Randy Beaumont, who died in November 2024, recognizing his devoted 40 years to the arts in Flagstaff, where he played a pivotal role in sustaining and growing Flagstaff Light Opera Company (FLOC), later known as Flagstaff Music Theatre (FMT).

The making of the Viola Awards

Coordinating an event of this scale is no small feat. The planning process involves months of preparation, beginning with nominations that remain open for seven to eight months.

“We had over 100 nominations this year, which were sent to panels for each category,� Commanda says. The panels, composed of community members and arts experts, review the nominations and select both the finalists and the winners.

Once the winners are selected, the Creative Flagstaff team focuses on fine-tuning the event’s details -- from securing performers to organizing the silent auction.

“It’s essentially a giant stage production,� says Commanda. 

The Viola Awards rely heavily on sponsorships from local organizations and individuals. The Babbitt Brothers Foundation, the founding sponsor, has supported the event since its inception in 2009. Additional sponsorship levels range from table sponsors to award sponsors, with local ceramicist Chaz Frisco creating this year’s awards.

Volunteers and the Creative Flagstaff team work tirelessly to bring the event to life. “We each have our strengths,� Commanda says. "The whole team supports the event from graphic design work to logistics and marketing. Day of operations is made possible by volunteers, including amazing students from Darwin Mann's events class at NAU."

The joy of the moment

While the Viola Awards primarily honor artistic achievement, the event is also a celebration of community. The silent auction offers attendees the chance to bid on unique items, and the Orpheum will serve a signature purple cocktail in honor of the Viola color.

For those wondering what to wear, the dress code is flexible but festive. “Some people show up in full ball gowns or tuxedos, while others are in jeans and a T-shirt,� says Commanda. “It’s really whatever you’re comfortable in, but it’s definitely a fun chance to get dressed up.�

For Commanda, the highlight of the night is witnessing the winners� reactions.

“Being able to see the faces of the winners when they’re announced, it just brings so much joy,� she says. "I think that that's just a really special moment, and I look forward to it."

As the Viola Awards enter their 17th year, they continue to be a powerful testament to the thriving creative spirit in Flagstaff -- a night when the arts take center stage and the community comes together to celebrate its brightest talents. 

Join the celebration on April 26 and learn more at