Awards for Arts Achievement Alene Valkanas State Arts Advocacy Award Arts Education Award American Express Emerging Leader Award Michael Newton Award Public Art Network Award Selina Roberts Ottum Award National Arts Awards Public Leadership in the Arts Awards

awards for arts achievement

Public Leadership in the Arts

The National Public Leadership in the Arts Awards are given in recognition of an elected official or artist who plays an important role in the advancement of the arts and arts education within his or her community and whose vision and leadership provide heightened visibility to the value of the arts.

Nominations are now closed for Public Leadership Awards in the following categories:

Winners of the 2012 awards will be announced at the 80th Winter Meeting of the United States Conference of Mayors, on January 19, in Washington, DC.

If you have any questions, please contact the Director of State and Local Government Affairs Jay Dick via e-mail or at 202.371.2830.

Past Public Leadership in the Arts Honorees by Category:

Congressional Arts Leadership Honorees

2011 Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI)
2010 Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA)
2009 Representative John Lewis (D-GA)
2008 Senator Patrick Leahy (D-VT)
2007 Representative Betty McCollum (D-MN)
2006 Representative Jim Leach (R-IA)
2005 Representative Christopher Shays (R-CT)
2004 Representative David Obey (D-WI)
2003 Senator Thad Cochran (R-MS)
2002 Representative Steve Horn (R-CA)
2001 Representative Norm Dicks (D-WA)
2000 Senator Robert Bennett (R-UT)
2000 Representative Nancy Johnson (R-CT)
1999 Senator Edward M. Kennedy (D-MA)
1999 Representative Michael Castle (D-DE)
1998 Representative Louise M. Slaughter (D-NY)
1998 Senator Slade Gorton (R-WA)
1997 Senator James M. Jeffords (R-VT)
1997 Representative Rick Lazio (R-NY)

Governor Arts Leadership Honorees

2012 Governot Pat Quinn (D-IL)
2011 Governor Bill Richardson (D-NM)
2010 Governor Ted Kulongoski (D-OR)
2009 Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger (R-CA)
2008 Governor Matt Blunt (R-MO)
2007 Governor Janet Napolitano (D-AZ)
2006 Governor Tom Vilsack (D-IA)
2005 Governor Mike Huckabee (R-AR)
2004 Governor Edward G. Rendell (D-PA)
2003 Governor George Pataki (R-NY)
2002 Governor John Engler (R-MI)
2001 Governor John G. Rowland (R-CT)
2000 Governor Tom Ridge (R-PA)
1999 Governor Mel Carnahan (D-MO)
1998 Governor Arne H. Carlson (R-MN)
1997 Governor Robert Miller (D-NV)

Lieutenant Governor Arts Leadership Honorees

Legendary Artist, Arts Legacy Award, Lifetime Achievement Award, and Excellence in Arts Programs for Youth Honorees

2011 Herbie Hancock
2010 Michael Feinstein
2008 Emilio Estefan Jr.
2008 Gloria Estefan
2006 New Orleans Center for Creative Arts | Riverfront (NOCCA)
2005 Peter Yarrow
2005 Mayor Richard M. Daley (D-Chicago, IL)
2004 Tony Bennett
2004 Henry Winkler
2001 William Jefferson Clinton
2000 Dr. John Brademas
2000 Harry Belafonte
1999 Rita Moreno
1999 Jane Alexander
1998 Stevie Wonder
1998 Roger L. Stevens
1997 Representative Sidney R. Yates (D-IL)

awards for arts achievement

Public Leadership in the Arts

Congressional Arts Leadership Honorees

Governor Arts Leadership Honorees

Lieutenant Governor Arts Leadership Honorees

State Legislator Arts Leadership Honorees

Local Arts Leadership Honorees

County Arts Leadership Honorees

Legendary Artist, Arts Legacy Award, Lifetime Achievement Award, and Excellence in Arts Programs for Youth Honorees

Citizen-Artist, Artist Advocacy, Leadership and Outstanding Achievement Awards