2026 Mayor's Awards
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Mayor’s Awards for Excellence in Arts & Culture Executive Summary Since 1986, the Mayor’s Awards for Excellence in Arts & Culture have honored the individuals and organizations making significant and lasting contributions to Denver’s creative scene. It’s our moment to spotlight artists and organizations whose work embodies our DENVER CREATES Commitments and fuels the vibrancy, diversity, and cultural brilliance of our city.
Mayor’s Award for Access in Arts & Culture This award is presented to an individual or organization whose work expands access to arts and culture in Denver by advancing equity through practices that build diverse representation, reduce barriers to participation and/or strengthen neighborhood-based cultural initiatives, ensuring inclusivity and engagement for all Denver residents.
Mayor’s Award for Community in Arts & Culture This award is presented to an individual or organization whose work strengthens Denver’s cultural community by amplifying artistic successes, fostering cross-sector collaborations, integrating artists into decision-making, and/or expanding leadership and education opportunities, ensuring a vibrant and inclusive arts ecosystem.
Mayor’s Award for Economic Vitality in Arts & Culture This award is presented to an individual, organization or creative business whose work aims to strengthen Denver’s cultural sector by expanding affordable arts spaces, retaining local talent, and/or contributing to the economic vitality of our city, ensuring Denver remains a thriving hub for creativity.
Mayor’s Award for Youth Impact in Arts & Culture This award is presented to a young person up to age 24 making a positive contribution to arts and culture in Denver, or an individual or youth-serving organization or program that has a positive impact on youth in their community through the arts. This category is open to individuals, organizations, creative businesses, or programs serving youth in Denver up to age 24.
Mayor’s Vibrant Denver Award in Arts & Culture This award is presented to an individual or organization whose work exemplifies a Vibrant Denver with exceptional leadership, service, and vision and has significantly advanced the vibrancy and wellbeing of our city. This award honors those whose work strengthens community pride, creates community, expands opportunity, and helps shape a thriving future for all residents. Eligibility Awards are open to individuals, organizations or creative businesses who meet the following eligibility requirements:
- Doing work that is community-informed, community-rooted, and aligned with our equity, diversity, and inclusion values
- In good standing with the City and County of Denver and the State of Colorado
- Have NOT received a Mayor’s Award in the past 10 years
- Doing work primarily within the City and County of Denver
What Awardees Receive
- Awardees for the 2026 Mayor’s Awards for Excellence in Arts & Culture receive
- Invitation to Mayor’s Awards ceremony for awardees and four guests
- Mayor’s Award original artwork created by a local artist
- Professional video about awardee’s work in relation to the award. Video is first shown at the Mayor’s Awards event and is shared with awardee post-event to use on their website and for promotional purposes.
- $2,500 honorarium
Selection A single application will be used for all nominations, including self‑nominations and nominations of others. A standardized scoring method and rubric will be applied. Final decisions regarding award recipients will be made by the review committee.