Raleigh Arts will accept 2026 Raleigh Medal of Arts Awards nominations starting February 4, 2026. The Raleigh Medal of Arts is the City of Raleigh’s highest honor in the arts. Since 1984, Raleigh Arts has awarded 183 Medals to artists, performers, organizations, and visionary leaders who have made Raleigh such a creative capital city.
Any member of the public is welcome to nominate an individual, organization, project, or collaboration for the Raleigh Medal of Arts. Self-nominations are also accepted.
All nominations must be submitted electronically by Monday, March 30, 2026, at 5 p.m. EST.
Eligible Nominees Include:
- Current or former residents of Raleigh who have conducted their affairs in Wake County. Organizations and projects nominated should be located in Raleigh or Wake County.
- Has significant recognition in their chosen field.
- Has a recognized body of work revealing his/her/their talent and skill.
- Individuals or organizations show evidence of having a strong commitment to Raleigh and the role that the arts plays in its quality of life.
- Projects or collaborations must have demonstrated community impact in Raleigh and/or Wake County and used unique methods which provided an innovative approach to the chosen art form.
- In this category only, the project or collaboration must have been presented and completed in the calendar years 2024 through 2025.
Raleigh Medal of Arts Nomination Application Webinar
Join us for the Medal of Arts Nomination Application Webinar led by musician, writer, and editor Rita Lewis. The workshop will discuss the nomination process and include a review of the guidelines, evaluation criteria, and narrative questions. This webinar will also share information about the timeline and the evaluation process.
This workshop will be held at 12:30 p.m. on February 19, 2026, virtually. Register now!
About the Raleigh Medal of Arts
Based on the National Medal of Arts program and inaugurated by the Raleigh Arts Commission in 1984, the Raleigh Medal of Arts is awarded for transformative, imaginative, and innovative achievement in the practice or support of the local arts. The award is the City’s highest arts honor and has been awarded 183 times.
