Arts Leadership Award Program

General Information

This annual program enables the Alameda County Arts Commission to recognize five individuals, one from each of the five districts of the Alameda County Board of Supervisors, for their outstanding achievements and contributions impacting the arts community and the residents of Alameda County.

This year’s nomination submission period has closed. Information about the selected 2026 Arts Leadership Award recipients will be announced in early September 2026.

This program began in 2003 and has recognized over 120 individuals. Each year, the award recipients are recognized by the Alameda County Board of Supervisors in conjunction with National Arts and Humanities Month of October.

Nominees must be residents of Alameda County and involved in an arts discipline including, but not limited to, music, dance, visual art, literature, theater, film and video, traditional craft and folk art, and new media. Nominees must be affiliated with an Alameda County arts organization through their role as an artist, staff person, board member, teacher, volunteer, donor, supporter, advocate, etc. For complete details, please review the online nomination instructions.

The next nomination period will be from January to mid-May 2027. Nomination instructions will be posted here in January 2027.

Learn about the 2025 Leadership Award Recipients

Use this searchable database to find and learn about current and past award recipients. You can enter a person’s name, a year dating back to 2003, or an Alameda County Board of Supervisors District such as District 1. Additionally, you can click on a year below to see a list of recipients for that year. Also, you can view and download a document with a complete list of past recipients.

2025 • 2024 • 2023 • 2022 • 2021 • 2020 • 2019 • 2018 • 2017 • 2016 • 2015 • 2014 • 2013 • 2012 • 2011 • 2010 • 2009 • 2008 • 2007 • 2006 • 2005 • 2004 • 2003