Joe Blanck: Puppetry/Creature Designer & Fabricator/Scenic Painter/Event Producer Bettina Buckley: Live Entertainment Executive Producer Michel Linet-Frion: Creative Director Haruo Masuda: Art Director/Exhibition Planner and Designer Ida Muldrow: Costume Design/Illustrator John Polk: Water Technologist/Animated Water Features, and Technologies Inventor Mike West: Producer/Director/Writer/Project Developer
WHAT: The TEA Masters of Their Craft program recognizes the achievements of individuals — the artists, writers, producers, engineers and craftspeople with distinguished careers who’ve made significant and enduring contributions to the industry through their innovation, leadership, and expertise.
WHO: This program recognizes a small number of individuals each year, whose skills epitomize the highest standards within their disciplines and who have used those skills to advance their field and the themed entertainment industry. Each TEA Master has built a body of work over decades that demonstrates consistent quality and execution. Often unknown except among their peers and collaborators, TEA Masters help create visceral stories, rides, attractions, events, and places that thrill, delight, and educate guests worldwide.
WHEN: The window officially opens on April 15 and stays available for nominations through June 15th.
HOW: If you know someone who represents the highest level of craft and professionalism in their field, we invite you to submit their name for consideration as a TEA Master. Share your stories; tell us why you feel they deserve to be honored. Nominate a colleague you know… who you’ve worked with… shared experiences with… and whose work has impacted our world. Nominations and nominees are open to everyone – TEA membership is not a requirement.
2024 Nominations Closed. Master's Induction Ceremony will be @ SATE North America.
THE FOLLOWING ARE THE CRITERIA TO QUALIFY FOR CONSIDERATION AS A TEA MASTER:
Experience ▪ Outstanding performance during 20+ year career within similar disciplines ▪ Experience working on the global stage ▪ A role model, well respected and looked upon throughout the industry ▪ Having played a distinctive role on several major/signature project
Qualities ▪ Exceptional in demonstrating “thinking out of the box” ▪ TEA Masters are masters by virtue of what they do and how they do it ▪ TEA Masters are consummate professionals in every way, they have the depth of knowledge (patience) to explain to those that do not necessarily understand why they have made a recommendation or practiced their craft in a given way
Industry and Subject Matter Achievement ▪ Having developed revolutionary ways of creating/producing within respective fields such as patents, inventions, etc. ▪ Instrumental in improving/revolutionizing industry or subject matter means and methods ▪ Long track record of improving the quality and efficiency of their product or service
Impact Upon the Industry ▪ Has excelled in mentoring and developing new generation experts within relevant fields ▪ Contributed a visible effect on the industry over the years ▪ TEA Masters are always going the extra mile to help/teach newcomers/apprentices to their craft ▪ TEA Masters empower others to excel in their own skill and bring out the best in a person to help them achieve ▪ TEA Masters install confidence in those around them
Willing and Able to Participate ▪ Participate in the recognition ceremony and be on a panel for TEA Global programming ▪ Allow the TEA to video an interview during the panel presentation for TEA Global programming ▪ Participate in TEA education and/or mentoring programs during the two (2) years following receipt of TEA Master recognition ▪ Not currently serving on the TEA International Board, or the TEA Masters Selection Committee
Artisans or designers nominated for a TEA Masters Award may be asked to submit resumes, photos of completed projects, designs, artwork, work samples, graphics or video containing highlights of their craft sufficient to support the selection process.
