Photo by Cindy Votruba

Minneota author Bill Holm stands on his porch at his home in Minneota on Monday. Holm, who is a musician, poet and essayist, can now add McKnight Foundation Distinguished Artist winner to his resume.

Minneota writer Bill Holm is usually not at a loss for words. But when he recently received a noteworthy statewide arts award, Holm said he didn’t know what to say. Holm was named the 11th McKnight Distinguished Artist by the McKnight Foundation. The honor includes a $50,000 stipend.

It’s not an award you apply for, Holm said Monday, and he doesn’t know how he was considered for the honor or who suggested him.

But if he did, he’d either buy them a drink or take them out for coffee, Holm said.

Holm said the committee for the McKnight Foundation award needs it to be a complete surprise when it presents it to an honoree. He was in a meeting with his editor of Milkweed Editions in Minneapolis, Emilie Buckland, when he learned the news.

And it did come as a complete surprise, Holm said.

“I was, of course, touched and honored, and for once in my life, speechless,” Holm said.