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Nominations Due April 30, 2024
Raleigh Arts will accept 2024 Raleigh Medal of Arts Awards nominations starting March 4, 2024.
The Raleigh Medal of Arts is the City of Raleigh’s highest honor in the arts. Since 1984, Raleigh Arts has awarded 180 Medals to artists, performers, organizations, and visionary leaders who have made Raleigh such a creative capital city. The application deadline is Tuesday, April 30, 2024, by 5 p.m. EST. View the guidelines and submit an application below.
Need help preparing your nomination?
- Attend the Raleigh Medal of Arts Nomination Application Workshop on March 14.
- Watch an information session online here.
- Review the Call for Nominations Checklist (PDF 238 KB)
Nomination Guidelines
Please review the guidelines below before submitting an application. You can also download the guidelines (PDF 190 KB).
Eligibility Criteria for Nominees
- Must be current or former residents of Raleigh or 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 and Collaborations
- 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 2022 through 2023.
NOTE: Awards will not be given posthumously.
Who May Be Nominated
Individuals
- Visual, literary, multimedia, performing artists, craftsmen, or designers who have achieved notable and/or recognizable excellence in their field.
- Visual, literary, multimedia, performing artists, craftsmen, or designers who have made a transformative contribution to their field and to the community at large.
- Individuals who have made an imaginative and/or immense contribution to the arts through volunteer service, advocacy, as journalists or critics, and/or financial support.
Groups
- Institutions, businesses, corporations, or organizations that have made an innovative and/or imaginative contribution to the arts through service, partnerships, advocacy, journalism, and/or financial support.
- Non-profit arts organizations that have achieved significant excellence in their art form or have made a memorable contribution to the arts.
Collaborations, Partnerships, and Projects
- Projects, public art installations, special performances, or events that have made a meaningful and/or transformative contribution to the arts in Raleigh.
- Organizations, partnerships, or groups that are breaking new ground in the arts field, whose contribution to the arts has been significant.
NOTE: Self-nominations are welcomed.
Evaluation Criteria
Impact
- Demonstrated impact in the community furthering the City’s vision to ensure everyone experiences the creative life they envision.
Community Arts, Outreach & Engagement
- Demonstrated community support and evidence of increasing access to the arts through unique presentations/productions. Raleigh residents were actively involved.
Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DEI)
- Demonstrated efforts to further advance and highlight the diversity, equity and inclusion goals of the arts community.
Artists & Innovation
- Exhibits a new or visionary standard of making art and/or supporting the work of artists.
Award Categories
Community Arts
Projects, Individuals, and/or organizations that enhance and promote active art and cultural life throughout the community.
Youth Arts
Projects, Individuals and organizations that expand youth arts participation.
Belonging in the Arts
Leadership in ensuring equity, access, and inclusion in all cultural programming.
Creativity & Innovation
Exemplary artists, arts, and cultural organizations doing creative and innovative work in Raleigh and beyond.
Public Art & Creative Placemaking
Individuals and organizations who enhance the vitality of Raleigh's neighborhoods and districts through public art and/or thoughtful creative placemaking.
Leadership in the Arts
Individuals and organizations who enhance arts leadership and governance through work in the arts and cultural sector.
Raising Awareness of the Arts
Individuals and organizations who work to expand awareness of the arts, connect the creative community and/or do dynamic work in advocacy, marketing, and promotion of the arts and artists.
Funding & Philanthropy
Leadership in supporting the arts and in encouraging financial support of artists, art, and arts organizations.
Awards are made based on project 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.
Nomination Application
All nominations must be submitted electronically by Tuesday, April 30, 2024, at 5 p.m. EST. View the Call for Nominations Checklist (PDF 238 KB) to ensure you've collected all necessary materials before applying.
The nomination application opens on March 4, 2024. Submit a Nomination Application
Need Help?
Join us for the Raleigh Medal of Arts Narrative Workshop 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 workshop will also share information about the timeline and the evaluation process.
This workshop will be held at 7 p.m. on March 14, 2024, in the Creative Studio at Pullen Arts Center, 105 Pullen Road, Raleigh, NC. All workshop participants should park in the North Lot, indicated as area C on the Pullen Arts Center map. There is ample parking in this area. Add this event to your calendar.
Can't make the workshop? Watch an information session online here.
Accessibility
The Raleigh Arts Commission is committed to making the application process accessible to people with disabilities. Guidelines and application forms can be made available in alternate formats upon request. Raleigh Arts is available for guidance in preparing nominations. Please contact Belva.Parker@raleighnc.gov or call 919-996-4683.
