The Martha’s Vineyard Community Foundation (MVCF) announced that it is accepting nominations for the 2026 Creative Living Award.
Established in 1983, the award honors Island individuals and organizations that embody the essence of Ruth Bogan, a woman known for her intelligence, courage, curiosity, and love for the Vineyard community and who is the inspiration for the award.
Bogan first visited Martha’s Vineyard in 1947 and admired both the Island’s natural landscapes and its community, according to a release from MVCF. Trained as a nurse, Bogan taught herself painting, photography, sculpture, gardening, languages, cooking, and many other skills. Friends remember her as an endlessly resourceful person who created, invented, repaired, and inspired.
After retiring to the Island in 1968, Bogan’s connection to the community deepened. Following her death, the Ruth J. Bogan Fund was established by Vineyard resident and Bogan’s friend Ruth Redding to support causes Bogan cared about, and to honor others who reflect her spirit of “creativity and ingenuity” across many fields and walks of life.
The community foundation invites nominations of artists, volunteers, educators, nonprofit leaders, entrepreneurs, craftspeople, environmental advocates, mentors, innovators, and others whose contributions have had a meaningful impact on the Vineyard community.
Reverend Cathlin Baker, who is the minister at First Congregational Church of West Tisbury, and her husband, Bill Eville, editor of the Vineyard Gazette, were last year’s recipients of the award.
Nominations for the 2026 Creative Living Award must be received by Friday, June 19.
Community members may submit nominations online at marthasvineyardcf.org/creative-living-award or by mailing or emailing a letter describing the nominee’s contributions to Island life and how they reflect the qualities of Ruth Bogan.
Nominations by mail may be sent to: Martha’s Vineyard Community Foundation, P.O. Box 243, West Tisbury, MA 02575. Email submissions may be sent to info@marthasvineyardcf.org.
The award recipient(s) will be honored at a Community Foundation event later this year.