Arkansas to Honor Fiddler Tim Trawick in November

The state will celebrate the musician as its 2026 Arkansas Living Treasure at a public reception in Little Rock.

Updated on Oct. 28, 2026 in Cultural

Bold vector editorial illustration showing a wooden fiddle resting on a textile, symbolizing Arkansas folk art and tradition.
The Arkansas Arts Council will honor Greenbrier fiddler Tim Trawick as a 2026 Arkansas Living Treasure at the Historic Arkansas Museum on November 20. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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The Arkansas Arts Council will honor Greenbrier fiddler Tim Trawick with the 2026 Arkansas Living Treasure award on November 20, 2026. The celebration will feature a reception and live music held at the Historic Arkansas Museum.

Why it matters

The program recognizes Arkansas creatives who show exceptional mastery in traditional craft or folk art. Trawick was chosen for this distinction from a pool of approximately 24 nominees.

The award program, which began in 2002, provides a $5,000 cash prize to the winner. Tim Trawick brings over 40 years of experience as a fiddler to the honor.

The players

Tim Trawick

He is a fiddler from Greenbrier with more than 40 years of experience who has been named the 2026 Arkansas Living Treasure.

Arkansas Arts Council

This state agency promotes the arts and oversees the Arkansas Living Treasure program to recognize traditional artists.

The details

The upcoming event at the Historic Arkansas Museum will include a video presentation, an art talk, live music, and catering. Trawick, who hails from Greenbrier, was announced as the recipient earlier this year in April.

Timeline

  1. Tim Trawick was announced as the recipient in April 2026.

  2. Nominations for the 2027 awards open on November 2, 2026.

  3. The public reception and music event will take place on November 20, 2026.

Industry Dynamics

This award marks the latest addition to a lineage of honorees recognized by the Arkansas Living Treasure program since its inception in 2002. The program maintains the state's focus on preserving traditional folk art forms amidst modern cultural shifts.

Members of the public are invited to attend the celebration and live music event at the Historic Arkansas Museum. Those interested in nominating an artist for the next cycle can begin submitting applications starting in November.

The takeaway

Supporting local folk arts ensures that traditional music and crafts continue to be celebrated within the state. Attending community arts events is a practical way for residents to engage directly with the culture and history of their region.

What happens next

Nominations for the 2027 Arkansas Living Treasure awards open on November 2, 2026.

Further reading

Learn more about local traditions and arts initiatives on the Arkansas Cultural section page.

More information

To secure your spot, please RSVP for the reception on the event portal.

Source note: This article includes information reported by Stuttgart Daily Leader.

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Do you believe state-sponsored awards for traditional artists and musicians help preserve your local community's culture?