Raleigh Medal of Arts

Program History

Since 1984, Raleigh Arts has awarded 183 medals to the artists, performers, organizations, and visionary leaders who have worked to make Raleigh a vibrant, connected, and creative city.

Award Categories

Community Arts
Youth Arts
Belonging in the Arts
Creativity & Innovation
Public Art & Creative Placemaking
Leadership in the Arts
Raising Awareness of the Arts
Funding & Philanthropy

Awards are made based on merit, as determined by the selection criteria. Awards are not necessarily made in every category, nor are there a predetermined number of awards in a category in any given year. In 2022, the program’s guidelines, eligibility, and evaluation criteria were revised, in addition to an increase in the variety of nominations and the creation of award categories. The award now better reflects the demographics of Raleigh and Wake County, a goal laid out in the City’s strategic arts plan.

2026 Medal of Arts

The 2026 Raleigh Medal of Arts Awards were presented on October 19, 2026 at NCSU's Stewart Theatre.

Learn more about the 2026 Medal of Arts Recipients

Stage with dramatic lighting on a podium and people receiving awards.

Special event on multiple floors viewable through glass walls.

Stage with dramatic lighting on a performer.

Two male musicians performing. One is playing a harp and the other a banjo.

A group of 25 people in festive attire smiling at the camera.

2024 Raleigh Medal of Arts

The City of Raleigh Arts Commission presented twelve of the City’s highest honors in the arts at the Medal of Arts Awards Ceremony at the Raleigh Little Theatre.

Learn more about the 2024 Medal of Arts Recipients

Celebrating 2024 Raleigh Medal of Arts Awardees

Past Raleigh Medal of Arts Recipients

Year	Awardees
2026	Lauren Kennedy Brady Alec and Georgia Donaldson Chasta Hamilton Living in Color Exhibit Peter Marín Rafael A. Osuba Michelle Pearson Zalman “Zali” Raffael Seed Art Share Lizette Cruz Watko
2024	Paris Alexander Elizabeth Beilman and Jimmy Gilmore Ragen Carlile Creative Mornings Raleigh Roy C. Dicks Fruit of Labor World Cultural Center Yvette Holder Timothy Locklear Rob Maddrey Ilsa Mann Raleigh Drum Circle Mark Tulbert
2022	Alluvial Decoder Public Art Project by A Gang of Three Linda Dallas Paul Friedrich June Guralnick S.T.A.R. Special Theatre Arts of Raleigh The Veldt
2020	Debra Austin Betsy Buford Grant Llewellyn Eleanor Oakley Jeremy Tucker Beltline to Broadway
2018	Jerome Davis Dr. Fran M. Page Freddie Lee Heath Dr. Gregg Gelb Martha Needels Keravuori Dr. Jonathan C. Kramer The Dorothea Dix Park Conservancy PineCone, the Piedmont Council of Traditional Music
2016	William Henry Curry Eric Ennis Sharon Moore Sarah Powers Dr. Mel A. Tomlinson Ginny Zehr
2014	Arts Together Marta Findlay-Partridge George Holt Terrence Mann Thomas and June Roberg Ruggero Piano
2012	Nancy Lambert Parker Poe Laura Raynor Triangle Philharmonic Association
2010	Ruth Green William Ivey Long Nancy Olson Dwane Powell J. Mark Scearce Banks C. Talley, Jr.
2008	Capital Bank Lucy Daniels Charles "Chuck" Davis Lenard D. Moore Susan Spurlin Newberry Jeffery H. Richardson
2006	North Carolina Symphony North Carolina Theatre Rory Parnell Melissa Podcasy Progress Energy The Raleigh Ringers
2005	Karen Edwards Anne Roberts Packer Dr. Randolph "Randy" Foy
2004	Lee Hansley Hillyer Community Chorus Robert Weiss NC Museum of Art Docents Jane Elizabeth Williamson Teague
2003	Lope Max Diaz Lanette Lind Thomas Mcguire Melissa Peden
2002	Even Exchange Dance Theatre Hugh Partridge Lawrence Wheeler
2001	William Brown
2000	Robin Harris K.D. Kennedy Dr. Assad Meymandi
1999	Arts Access Anita Burroughs-Price Thomas H. Sayre
1998	Community Music School Elaine A. Lorber Meredith College Martha N. Zaytoun
1997	NC Museum of Art Visual Art Exchange Gerhardt Zimmermann
1996	Bonnie Brooks City Gallery of Contemporary Art Kaye Gibbons Raleigh Ensemble Players Mary Ann Scherr Dr. Alfred E. Sturgis Don Wilder
1995	The Crafts Center Elizabeth Grimes Droessler The Fletcher School of Performing Arts Ward Purrington
1994	McCrae Hardy John McIlwee Raleigh Fine Arts Society
1993	Gerald Barrax City Gallery of Contemporary Art James Goodmon Mary Anne K. Jenkins Bill Tilton Inge Witt
1992	George Bireline Center Stage at NCSU Stewart Theatre The Raleigh Boychoir Bob Rankin Nona Short The Woman’s Club of Raleigh Arts Festival
1991	Joel Adams Artspace Charlotte Brown Joe Cox Dick Gable Raleigh Chamber Music Guild Raleigh Music Club Scholarships Raleigh Oratorio Society Ann Smith Dick Snavely WCPE
1990	Betsy Blair Paul B. Conway James A. Crawford Margot Richter Thomas E. Sibley Raleigh Little Theatre Raleigh Symphony Orchestra
1989	Arts Together Douglas Haas Bennett Sally Buckner Rebecca Gill Betty Kovach James E. Longmire Ben F. Williams Albert D. Wolfheimer
1988	Abram Kanoff Suzanne Newton Raleigh Fine Arts Society Literary Contest Henry Vermillion J. Perry Watson David Witherspoon Peyton Woodson III
1987	Horace Caple Jo Cresimore Friends of the College Phyllis Garriss Peggy Hoffman Lemma Mackie Ira David Wood III
1986	Cablevision of Raleigh DeAnn Jones Paul Montgomery Waltye Rasulala Addison Reed Theatre in the Park
1985	Artsplosure Henry Bowers Capitol Broadcasting Co. James M. Marshall Beth Cummings Paschal George M. Stephens
1984	Geraldine Cate Willie Jordan-Williams John Lambert James A. McLean Northern Telecom Inc. Robert Petters Ira David Wood III Anna Wooten-Hawkins

Related Projects

All projects

Parks and Recreation

Fisher Street Park Relocation Project

Updated: Oct 23, 2026
Transportation

Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) Projects

Updated: Sep 25, 2026
Parks and Recreation

Sertoma Arts Center Improvements

Updated: Sep 4, 2026

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Program History

2026 Medal of Arts

2024 Raleigh Medal of Arts

Celebrating 2024 Raleigh Medal of Arts Awardees

Past Raleigh Medal of Arts Recipients

Year

Awardees

2026

2024

2022

2020

2018

2016

2014

2012

2010

2008

2006

2005

2004

2003

2002

2001

2000

1999

1998

1997

1996

1995

1994

1993

1992

1991

1990

1989

1988

1987

1986

1985

1984

Fisher Street Park Relocation Project

Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) Projects

Sertoma Arts Center Improvements