Our Story
In 1998, a vision emerged on Bainbridge Island to honor the unique creativity and commitment of local artists and humanists. Inspired by the MacArthur Foundation's "Genius" Awards, committee member Tom Schworer proposed a similar initiative. Under the leadership of Cynthia Sears, the Island Treasure Awards were born, with the inaugural ceremony held on January 31, 2000, recognizing historian Gerald Elfendahl and photographer Joel Sackett. Since then, 42 remarkable individuals have been celebrated for their contributions to the arts and humanities, enriching the cultural fabric of our community.