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The National Arts Awards
A Celebration of National Leadership in the Arts
Monday, October 6, 2008, at 6:30 pm
Cipriani 42nd Street
New York City
Every October, Americans for the Arts leads the country as we celebrate our cultural riches through National Arts and Humanities Month. The Americans for the Arts National Arts Awards serves as the focal point for these nationwide celebrations and stands out as the highlight of the year for Americans for the Arts. Make plans to join us on October 6 for the 2008 National Arts Awards and support the arts and arts education!
The National Arts Awards represents a unique opportunity for more than 500 of America’s top arts, philanthropic, and corporate leaders to come together once a year to recognize and celebrate the achievements of individuals who have exhibited outstanding 
leadership in the visual and performing arts, arts education, advocacy, and philanthropy.
In 2007, Americans for the Arts honored worthy artists and arts supporters such as Wallis Annenberg, Ellsworth Kelly, the Music Industry and NAMM, United States Conference of Mayors, Anna Deavere Smith, and John Legend.
During the past 41 years we have honored more than 90 artists across a spectrum of disciplines—the roster is a virtual timeline of the cultural leaders of the 20th & 21st centuries. See our complete list of past honorees.
The 2008 National Arts Awards will take place on Monday, October 6, at Cipriani 42nd Street in New York City. Americans for the Arts Board Member Maria Bell will once again serve as chair alongside co-chairs Edythe and Eli Broad, fellow boardmember Sheila C. Johnson and her husband William T. Newman, Jr., and Isabella and Theodor Dalenson.
The full slate of honorees has not yet been finalized. However, the 2008 National Arts Awards honorees will include:
- Dame Julie Andrews, Lifetime Achievement Award
- J. Barry Griswell, Principal Financial, Corporate Citizenship in the Arts Award
- Yoko Ono, Kitty Carlisle Hart Award for Outstanding Contributions to the Arts
- Celebrated record producer, Phil Ramone, Arts Advocacy Award
- Visual Artist, Kehinde Wiley, Young Artist Award for Artistic Excellence
Make plans to join us on October 6 for the 2008 National Arts Awards and support the arts and arts education!
