The Charlotte Street Visual Artist Award, established in 1997, aims to support and promote exceptional visual artists in the Kansas City region through annual unrestricted cash awards. The program has distributed a total of $751,500 to date, benefiting 100 local artists by providing financial assistance, recognition, and increased exposure. Each year, three artists receive $10,000 grants, allowing them the freedom to pursue their artistic practices without the constraints associated with project-specific funding. These awards are designed to recognize outstanding artistic achievement and foster the continued professional development of local artists.

In addition to the financial grant, recipients are given the opportunity to participate in a professionally curated exhibition at a prominent local art venue. Past venues have included the Nerman Museum of Contemporary Art and the H&R Block Artspace, which are well-regarded within the Kansas City art community. This exhibition, along with a printed brochure featuring color reproductions of the artists' work, a commissioned critical essay, and related promotional efforts, further serves to elevate the profiles of the award winners. Through this multifaceted approach, the award program not only supports individual artists but also seeks to enrich the broader Kansas City arts scene by enhancing the visibility and vitality of local talent.

To be eligible, artists must reside within the five-county Greater Kansas City Metropolitan Area, which includes Jackson, Platte, and Clay counties in Missouri, as well as Johnson and Wyandotte counties in Kansas. Applicants must have lived in the region for at least one year prior to applying and cannot be full-time students. This residency requirement ensures that the award benefits artists who are actively contributing to the local arts community.

The selection process for the award involves a rotating panel of local and national art professionals, known as Awards Advisors, who evaluate the applicants' work. Since 2004, the program has included Visiting Curators—respected contemporary art curators from outside Kansas City—to serve on the selection panel. These curators, who serve two-year terms, bring a fresh perspective to the evaluation process and provide valuable insights into the work being produced in the region, further enhancing the credibility and prestige of the award.

By providing financial support and valuable exposure, the Charlotte Street Visual Artist Award plays a crucial role in encouraging the continued growth of Kansas City's artistic community. It not only helps individual artists advance their careers but also contributes to the cultural vibrancy of the city, making it an attractive place for artists to live and work. The program's long-standing commitment to recognizing and supporting local artists has made it a cornerstone of the city's cultural landscape, with each award cycle adding to the rich tapestry of creative talent in the region.