Stecher and Horowitz
Power of Innovation Award

The Stecher & Horowitz Power of Innovation Award is a $10,000 prize presented annually to a young professional artist/teacher who embodies an entrepreneurial spirit and innovative approach in their life and work. Applicants for the award must submit documentation that demonstrates accomplishment in and commitment to four specific aspects of professional endeavor:

• Artistic Excellence
• Pedagogical Leadership
• Nurturing Spirit
• Community Service

The $10,000 prize is funded by Melvin Stecher and Norman Horowitz, whose own life and work as artists, pedagogues and entrepreneurs epitomize the values of the Power of Innovation Award.

The deadline for application is November 5, 2026, 3:00 p.m. Eastern Time. The recipient will be notified no later than early January 2027. The presentation of the award will be during the 2027 MTNA National Conference in St. Louis, Missouri, on April 2–6, 2027. The recipient should plan to attend to receive the award in person.

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Application Guidelines

Eligibility

• Applicant must be 36 years old or younger as of November 5, 2026.
• Applicant must be a current active member of MTNA.
• Open to artist/teachers of all instruments and voice.
• Applicants may only apply for one of the following awards each year:
  • The Stecher and Horowitz Power of Innovation Award
  • The Stecher and Horowitz Foundation–MTNA $10,000 Joyce B. Cowin Career Grant
  • The Stecher and Horowitz Foundation–MTNA $10,000 Melvin Stecher and Norman Horowitz Career Grant
  • The Stecher and Horowitz Foundation–MTNA $25,000 Gateway Prize for Advancement in the Arts
• Previous recipients of the Power of Innovation Award are not eligible to apply.

Application Materials

• Current contact information including name, address, phone, and email.
• Applicant profile information including a current resume and date of birth.
• Four essays and supporting media/documents for each that demonstrate innovation and success in the following areas:
• Artistic Excellence (Essay and 30-minute performance video)
• Pedagogical Leadership (Essay and 30-minute teaching video)
• Nurturing Spirit (Essay and choice of a video, article, report or other document)
• Community Service (Essay and choice of a video, article, report or other document)

Note about submitting your materials: Please do NOT use Google Docs for any submissions. Use Word or PDF. Please also confirm that any YouTube videos are not password protected/private.

Selection Process

• A three-person panel of adjudicators will evaluate each applicant's essays and documentation.
• 60% of the evaluation is based on the quality of work in each of the four areas noted above (15% per area).
• 40% of the evaluation is based on the overall impression of the creativity and innovative spirit of the applicant's professional endeavors.

Application Deadline

• All essays and documentation must be received no later than November 5, 2026, 3:00 p.m. Eastern Time.
• Questions should be directed to the MTNA National Headquarters at mtnanet@mtna.org or by calling (513) 421-1420. 

Failure to follow directions or meet eligibility requirements may disqualify the applicant.