After I posted the above, SDVAN updated the definition on their site by appending the following helpful clarification: "We think of these artists as emerging from the darkness into the light of the public view."

To put this into context, here is just some of the regional and national media coverage that current "emerging artist" nominee Stephen Curry has received in the past 18 years:

• 1999 Ollman, Leah. 'Art Reviews: Still Vibrant', Los Angeles Times, January 22, pp. F26, 27.
• 1998 Ollman, Leah. 'Stephen Curry at Quint, Art in America, October, p. 145.
• 1997 Pincus, Robert L. 'A Feast for Both Eye and Mind is Laid out on 'Tabletops'', The San Diego Union-Tribune, October 12, pp.E3, E4.
• 1997 Ollman, Leah. “Report From San Diego”, Art in America, July, pp. 35-43.
• 1995 Ollman, Leah. 'Stephen Curry', ARTnews, October, p.158.
• 1995 Butterfield, Virginia. '1995: The People to Watch', San Diego Magazine, January, p. 54.
• 1994 Pincus, Robert L. 'Top Ten Art Shows', The San Diego Union-Tribune, December 25, p. E-14.
• 1994 Clothier, Peter & Ollman, Leah. 'Westward Expansion', Art News Magazine, November, p.45.
• 1993 Saville, Jonathan. 'He Dreams of Mangoes', The San Diego Union-Tribune, April 22, p. 65.
• 1992 Pincus, Robert L. 'Critic's Choice', The San Diego Union-Tribune/Night&Day, September 3, p. 45.

SDVAN, by comparison, was founded in 2002.

I have no objection to artists receiving recognition and support — indeed, I salute SDVAN's efforts in community building. My problem is when such efforts are pursued at the expense of:

1. The artists (by downgrading long-established artists with national reputations as "emerging")
   
2. The regional media (which has worked tirelessly for decades bringing San Diego artists into public view)
   
3. The English language
   

If the San Diego Art Prize was Little League, Steve would be a "ringer".

And what of the fact the only three women are "emerging?" Disappointing, but typical. We need clam shells and flowers in our hair, I guess.
"3. The English language" ha!

                                                    Wrong