Farmington Area Artists Celebrated with Arts and Culture Awards
(FAAC, Sept. 17, 2026)
Farmington Hills, MI – The City of Farmington Hills Cultural Arts Division and the Farmington Area Arts Commission (FAAC) are proud to announce the recipients of the 2026-2027 Farmington Area Arts Awards.
The annual awards celebrate outstanding contributions to the arts and recognize the individuals, organizations and businesses helping to encourage creativity and cultural enrichment throughout the Farmington and Farmington Hills community.
Community members are invited to celebrate this year’s award recipients at a free public ceremony on Friday, Oct. 2 at 7 p.m. at The Hawk Blackbox & Mainstage Theatres, 29995 W. 12 Mile Road in Farmington Hills.
The ceremony will be followed by an afterglow in the Blackbox Theatre. Tickets are free and can be reserved at TheHawkTheatre.com.
The 2026-2027 awards are especially significant as the community celebrates 50 years of the Farmington Area Arts Commission and the Artist-in-Residence Award, two longstanding initiatives that have helped promote and support the arts locally.
“We are proud to recognize this year’s award recipients and the many ways they contribute to the cultural vitality of our community,” said Rachel Timlin, cultural arts supervisor for the City of Farmington Hills Special Services Department. “The arts connect people, inspire creativity and help make Farmington and Farmington Hills vibrant places to live. This year’s recipients represent the remarkable talent, dedication and generosity that make our local arts community so special.”
The 2026-2027 Farmington Area Arts Award recipients include:
• Willie McAllister Jr.— Farmington Area Artist-in-Residence. The Artist-in-Residence Award, presented since 1976, recognizes individuals who demonstrate exceptional talent and artistic accomplishments. McAllister is a conductor, educator and producer.
• Chaula Thacker and Ismael Ahmed (posthumously) — Nancy Coumoundouros Distinguished Service to the Arts Award. The award recognizes outstanding service to the community in the arts by an individual residing in Farmington or Farmington Hills.
• Liam Rinehart and Tania Chavez Gomez — Youth Art Awards.
• In the Mitten Productions — Arts Advocacy Award, recognizing outstanding service to the community by a business or organization.
• Karen Reasoner — Arts Volunteer of the Year Award, honoring an individual who generously dedicates their time and creativity to the community.
The Farmington and Farmington Hills area is home to accomplished visual and performing artists, cultural organizations and successful artistic programs. Through the Farmington Area Arts Awards, the community celebrates the people and organizations whose creativity, service and advocacy strengthen the local arts landscape. The City of Farmington Hills Cultural Arts Division provides diverse year-round programming in the visual and performing arts for community members of all ages, abilities, interests and backgrounds. The Division also includes The Hawk Theatre and The Hawk Makerspace. The FAAC works with the Cultural Arts Division to support efforts to ensure that arts and cultural heritage are integral components of daily life in Farmington Hills and Farmington. Established in 1976, the Commission consists of individuals appointed by the Farmington Hills and Farmington City Councils and serves as a conduit between local government and the arts community.
Pictured: Chaula Thacker
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