The Randolph A. Frank Prize for the Performing Arts

Nominations for the 2025 Randolph A. Frank Prize are now open and close on Sunday, February 16, 2025.

The mission of the Randolph A. Frank Prize for the Performing Arts is to recognize and reward individual performing artists and dedicated educators who enrich the quality of the performing arts in Palm Beach County, Florida. All established and emerging individuals who regularly perform or engage in performing arts education in Palm Beach County are eligible for consideration for the Prize, which will be awarded annually. Applicants may self-nominate or be nominated by someone else who can speak to their artistic contributions, and may apply for one or all relevant categories.

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$10,000 in prize money will be awarded to one to three winners!

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Prize Categories:

Performing Artist

Performing Arts Educator

Emerging Artist

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Important Dates to Note

• Submissions for nominations opens on Friday, November 1, 2024.
• Deadline for submissions is Sunday, February 16, 2025.
• Please apply by submitting all required documents to bseliger@palmbeachsymphony.org
• Applicants will be notified of their status by Monday, March 31, 2025.
• Winner(s) will be invited to attend an official award presentation on Tuesday, April 8, 2025. 

Submission Guidelines

Please apply by submitting all required documents noted below to bseliger@palmbeachsymphony.org

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• An applicant may self-nominate or be nominated by someone else for prize consideration.
• Anyone from within or outside the Palm Beach County community may submit a nomination.
• The Nomination Letter should not be written or submitted by a spouse or family member.
• Nominators must submit Nomination Letter and supporting materials, as indicated below.
• Submissions that meet all eligibility requirements will be reviewed by a panel of judges that includes esteemed industry professionals from within and outside Palm Beach County.

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Eligibility Criteria

• All applicants must be dedicated to enhancing the cultural and artistic life of Palm Beach County.
• Although the applicant does not need to reside in Palm Beach County, the applicant’s work must be based primarily in Palm Beach County.
• It is the applicant’s responsibility to apply for the prize category that best reflects the applicant’s contribution to the cultural and artistic life of Palm Beach County. Applicants may apply to more than one category.
• Applicants for the Performing Artist Award should have at least a five-year demonstrated track record as a performing artist in Palm Beach County.
• Applicants for the Performing Arts Educator Award should have at least a five-year demonstrated track record as a performing arts educator in Palm Beach County.
• Applicants for the Emerging Artist Award should have at least a three-year demonstrated track record either as a performing artist OR performing arts educator in Palm Beach County and be at least 21 years of age.
• Writers, designers (costume, lighting, props, scenic, sound), and production technicians are not eligible.
  

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Nomination Letter Content

Please submit by the deadline of Sunday, February 16 to bseliger@palmbeachsymphony.org.

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1. Include contact information for the nominee: Full name, permanent address, phone number, email address, and website (if applicable).
2. Specify the particular Frank Prize category or categories (Performing Artist, Performing Arts Educator or Emerging Artist) for which the nominee wishes to be considered. Please specify the category or categories the applicant wishes to be considered for in the subject, in the body of the email, and in the nomination letter.
3. Address the reason for the nomination, such as the nominee’s achievements and goals and, if nominated by another individual, outline the length of time the nominator has known the nominee and in what capacity.
4. Document the record of the nominee’s performing arts or performing arts education experience in Palm Beach County.
5. Address how the nominee has enhanced the cultural and artistic life of Palm Beach County.
6. Outline the nominee’s commitment to excellence in the nominee’s field.
7. If applicable, summarize the nominee’s teaching experience as it relates to performing arts education, and document the particular age group(s) and constituencies the nominee has mentored.
   

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Required Supporting Materials

Please submit all materials by the deadline of Sunday, February 16 to Bryce Seliger at bseliger@palmbeachsymphony.org.

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1. Up to date nominee resume, professional biography, and headshot, all of which should be submitted as individual files. These documents should include nominee's current position(s).  Please do not send links for judges to find this information.  
2. Additional supporting documents – maximum of six (6) single-sided pages, single-spaced, 12-point font.
3. 1-3 audio and/or visual examples via a weblink (YouTube, Vimeo, etc.) that is either password protected or that people can only view if they have the link. Videos should not be made public. Please do not send link in which an email is required to view the file.  Videos should not be made public.
4. Please include your name on each page of every document.
5. Specify the particular Frank Prize category or categories (Performing Artist, Performing Arts Educator or Emerging Artist) for which the nominee wishes to be considered. Please specify the category or categories the applicant wishes to be considered for in the subject, in the body of the email, and in the nomination letter.  

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History of the Frank Prize

The Randolph A. Frank Prize was established in 2009 by Nancy and Jay Parker, longtime friends of Dr. Randolph A. Frank, who was an avid patron of the arts.  Shortly after Dr. Frank’s move to Palm Beach from the Washington, D.C. area in the early 2000’s, the Parkers introduced him to their neighbor and friend Steven Caras. At Caras’ invitation, Dr. Frank and the Parkers soon began to attend many of the widely diverse cultural events in Palm Beach County. After Dr. Frank’s passing in 2007, the Parkers, administrators of Frank’s foundation, asked Caras to start thinking in terms of conceiving a cause to be established in Palm Beach County “in Randy’s memory.”  

The Parkers felt that Caras, an acclaimed dancer, dance educator, and photographer, would come up with an ideal plan. “I felt that a cause was very much needed here,” in Caras’ words, “celebrating and rewarding performing arts educators and performers, working in Palm Beach County, who, through their devoted efforts, enhance and inspire the lives of all of us –residents and visitors alike.” Together, they decided to honor Dr. Frank’s memory with this annual award.

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Since 2019, Palm Beach Symphony has managed and hosted the Randolph A. Frank Prize for the Performing Arts. Through the generosity of these founders a total of $10,000 is awarded each year.

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Presented by Palm Beach Symphony

Board of Directors, Nancy and Jay Parker

Founding Chairman, Steven Caras