The NASAA Leadership Awards program recognizes exemplary leadership and best practices of state arts agencies and regional arts organizations. These awards provide a wonderful opportunity to showcase the outstanding and inspirational work and leadership of our field.
NASAA Leadership Awards are given every other year and presented at NASAA Assembly conferences. The next awards cycle will be in 2026.
Congratulations to past winners:
2024
Ayanna Kiburi, California
Maryland State Arts Council
Carlos Ruíz-Cortés, Puerto Rico
Ginger Warner, Ohio
2022
Cyndy Andrus, Montana
Margaret Hunt, Colorado
Mass Cultural Council
Jean Tokuda Irwin, Utah
2020
Carla Du Pree, Maryland
Colorado Creative Industries
Gary Gibbs, Texas
Deonté Griffin-Quick, New Jersey
Nola Ruth, Missouri
2018
Molly Leach Pratt, Tennessee
Suzanne Wise, Nebraska
2016
Bruce Richardson, Wyoming
Randall Rosenbaum, Rhode Island
2014
Rich Boyd, Tennessee
Bobby Kadis, North Carolina
2012
Christine D’Arcy, Oregon
Dorothy Pierce McSweeny, District of Columbia
2010
Lucius (Lu) Ellsworth, Virginia
Arlynn (Arni) Fishbaugh, Montana
2008
Margaret “Peggy” Kannenstine, Vermont
Suzette Surkamer, South Carolina
2007
David Fraher, Minnesota
David “White Thunder” Trottier, North Dakota
2006
Robert Booker, Arizona
Delores C. Fery, Idaho
2005
Philip Horn, Pennsylvania
Margaret “Tog” Newman, North Carolina
2004
William Davis, West Virginia
Dennis Holub, South Dakota
2003
Barbara Fulton Moran, New Jersey
Judith Ann Rapanos, Michigan
2002
John Paul Batiste, Texas
Dr. Oscar E. Remick, Michigan, Pennsylvania & New York
2001
James Backas, Maryland
Barbara S. Robinson, Ohio
2000
Carol Brown, Pennsylvania
Betty Price, Oklahoma
1999
Peggy Baggett, Virginia
1998
Al Head, Alabama
1997
Bennett Tarleton, Tennessee
1996
Shelley Cohn, Arizona
1995
Mary Hays, New York
1994
Wayne Lawson, Ohio
1993
Alden C. Wilson, Maine
1992
David Nelson, Montana
1991
Mary Regan, North Carolina
If you have any questions regarding NASAA Leadership Awards, please contact Katie Hughes.