awards for arts achievement
Each year, Americans for the Arts presents awards to honor those who are committed to building communities through the arts. Awards fall into three categories: Americans for the Arts Annual Awards, recognizing leaders in the field; National Arts Awards, recognizing high-profile artists and philanthropists; and National Public Leadership in the Arts Awards, recognizing public officials.
Americans for the Arts Annual Awards
Presented each year in conjunction with Americans for the Arts Annual Convention, Americans for the Arts Annual Awards recognize the achievements of individuals, organizations, or programs committed to enriching their communities through the arts. Awards are presented in the following areas:
- Alene Valkanas State Arts Advocacy Award
- Arts Education Award
- Emerging Leader Award
- Michael Newton Award for United Arts Funds Leadership
- Public Art Network Award
- Selina Roberts Ottum Award for Arts Leadership
To nominate yourself or a colleague, please submit the following materials by email to membership@artsusa.org by 8:00 p.m. EDT on February 27, 2009. Please type the name of the award to which you are nominating in the subject line of your email to ensure it is reviewed.
- Nomination form (doc, 64KB)
- One page letter of recommendation from the nominator. Additional pages will be deleted.
- One page biography (for nominated individuals) or organizational description (for organizations). Additional pages will be deleted.
- At least one photograph that represents the nominee (300 dpi minimum quality for web and print use). Additional photos are optional.
Who is eligible to submit a nomination for an award?
Only professional members of Americans for the Arts are eligible to nominate individuals or organizations for an Annual Award. To join, please complete our online membership form, or call our membership team at 202.371.2830.
Who is eligible to receive an award?
Award nominees are not required to be Americans for the Arts members. Staff and Board of Directors of Americans for the Arts are not eligible to receive awards.
How will the awardee be selected?
Selection committees for each award are comprised of Americans for the Arts members. These committees will review nominations based on each nominee’s eligibility and the nominee's contribution to the advancement of the arts and/or their particular specialty area. The winner will exhibit the benchmark of success described in each awards’ criteria.
National Arts Awards
Americans for the Arts recognizes private-sector arts leadership nationally at our National Arts Awards in New York City, held annually every fall. Nominations are requested for consideration in the following categories:
- Arts Education Award
- Corporate Citizenship in the Arts Award
- Frederick R. Weisman Award for Philanthropy in the Arts
- Kitty Carlisle Hart Award for Outstanding Contribution to the Arts
- Lifetime Achievement Award
- Young Artist Award
National Award for Public Leadership in the Arts
These awards are given in recognition of elected officials whose role in advancement of the arts and arts education within their communities and whose vision and leadership provide heightened visibility to the value of the arts.
- Congressional Arts Leadership
- Governors Arts Leadership
- Lieutenant Governors Arts Leadership
- State Legislature Arts Leadership
- Local Arts Leadership
- County Arts Leadership
