The Northwest Connecticut Arts Council introduced the annual CultureMAX awards, which recognize artists (inclusive of all disciplines), heritage workers, cultural organizations, volunteers and businesses that  have elevated the stature of arts and/or heritage in the region of northwest Connecticut.

The 2017 Awardees were Susan Becker Aziz of Litchfield in the Artist Category, costume, doll and puppet designer whose work has appeared on stages throughout CT; Adam Atkins of Winsted in the Arts Education category, Gilbert High School's music educator for the past 22 years; Mark McEachern of Torrington in Herritage Professional category, who has worked at the Torrington Historical Society since 1978 as a photographic technician, assistant director and executive director; Ellen Paul of Warren in the Volunteer category, who is the volunteer curator at the Warren Historical Society; TheatreWorks New Milford in the Cultural Organization category, an independent organization that offers a variety of artistic opportunities; Torrington Savings Bank in the Culture-Loving Business category, for understanding the importance of arts and culture in our region and has been an enthusiastic supporter of many local cultural institutions; and Tim Prentice of Cornwall for the Lifetime Achievement category, an artist and avid supporter of the arts whose work has impacted not only our corner of CT, but the public art world internationally.

The 2016 Awardees were Roberta Willis, former State Representative for CT’s 64th District, former Board member of the Arts Councils and lifelong involvement in the cultural community with the a Lifetime Achievement Award; Danielle Mailer of Goshen in the Artist category, a painter and installation artist who recently completed the Fish Tales public art project in Torrington; Ed Kirby of Sharon in the Heritage Professional category, an historian, author, educator, and history advocate; Diane Dubreuil of New Milford in the Volunteer category, a champion of arts and heritage and an accomplished painter; After School Arts Program -  ASAP based in Washington in the Cultural Organization category, an arts education organization that collaborates throughout the region; and Litchfield Distillery/Crystal Rock Water in the Culture-Loving Business category, a business that has generously supported numerous cultural organizations.

The 2015 Awardees were Vita Muir, founder and executive director of Litchfield Performing Arts/Litchfield Jazz Festival with a life-time achievement award; John Marshall, internationally renowned percussionist and founder of Rhythmic Integration Center in the Artist category; Peter Vermilyea, public historian and author of Hidden History of Litchfield County in the Heritage Professional category; Ed Cannata of Torrington in the Volunteer category; Infinity Hall in the Culture-loving Business category; and TriArts Sharon Playhouse in the Cultural Organization category.  

The 2014 Awardees were Sharon Dante, Founder of The Nutmeg Conservatory for the Arts in Torrington in the Artist category; Catherine Fields, Executive Director of the Litchfield Historical Society in the Heritage Professional category; Janet Rathbun of Colebrook in the Volunteer category; Five Points Gallery in Torrington in the Cultural Organization category; and The North End Store in Barkhamsted in the culture-loving Business category.

Before 2014, there had been no regional recognition event for those involved in the cultural community in northwest Connecticut.  The aim of the CultureMAX awards is to recognize individuals and businesses who exemplify excellence in the cultural field or in serving the cultural community within the Council’s 25-town service area.