The Celebration of Alabama Arts is a biennial event that shines a spotlight on arts and creativity in Alabama and on individuals who make significant and impactful contributions to our state’s rich cultural landscape.
Past honorees have been professional artists working in any artistic discipline, businesspeople, arts volunteers, arts patrons, arts administrators, legislators & elected officials, arts educators, and others noted for promoting arts in Alabama.
For more info on the Celebration of Alabama Arts, visit arts.alabama.gov/celebrate.
View previous issues of Alabama Arts magazine:
Awards are given in the following categories:
Previous award categories:
Previous Celebrations and Ceremonies
2022 Celebration & Honorees:
Wes Chapman, Jason Max Ferdinand, Clifton Pearson, Mary Settle Cooney, Patty McDonald, Stanley Smith, and David Hood were honored during the 2022 Celebration of Alabama Arts. The contributions of these remarkable individuals were recognized with memorable performances by Innergy INC. dancers, Oakwood University's Aeolians, Alabama Ballet, Iron Horse bluegrass band, Red Mountain Theatre, Alabama shape note singers, and the Muscle Shoals Sound tribute band – including a special appearance by David Hood himself!
More details here.
2024 Celebration & Honorees:
Pinky/MM Bass, Russell Gulley, Chester Higgins, Elias Katsaros, Kevin King, Greta Lambert, Monique Ryan, and Jeanie Thompson were honored during the 2024 Celebration of Alabama Arts, hosted by Tonya Terry at Alabama Shakespeare Festival in Montgomery.
From music and dance to poetry and theatre, the evening was filled with exciting performances and short documentaries highlighting the careers of these incredible artists.
More details here.
For a detailed look at the history of our arts award program, click here.