Each year, countless individuals and organizations contribute to the vitality and diversity of our local arts scene. Arts Council's Annual Awards are an opportunity to recognize these champions and to celebrate them. This year, have much to be grateful for, and we hope the community will help us recognize individuals and organizations that make Winston-Salem and Forsyth County a wonderful place to live, work and play.
Arts Council Award
The Arts Council Award recognizes an individual who exhibits a significant commitment to volunteer service and has made a lasting impact on our arts community.
R. Philip Hanes, Jr. Young Leader Award
The R. Philip Hanes Junior Young Leader Award recognizes an individual under 40 years old whose time, talent and energy have furthered the mission of supporting and promoting the arts and culture of Winston-Salem and Forsyth County, leaving a legacy of service for future young leaders and for the future of the arts in this community.
Arts Educator Excellence Award
The Arts Educator Excellence Award recognizes an educator or teaching artist who has enriched the education of our community’s youth and inspired the next generation of artists, patrons and creative individuals.
Business Leader in the Arts Award
The Business Leader in the Arts Award recognizes a local business, non-profit or government workplace (1,000+ employees and Under 1,000 employees) for its exemplary efforts to integrate the arts into its workplace culture and employees’ lives.
Community and Arts Impact Award
The Community and Arts Impact Award recognizes an organization or group that uses arts and culture to positively engage with our community in impactful and innovative ways to elevate local artists.
Arts Partner Award
The Arts Partner Award recognizes an arts or cultural organization that is of high artistic quality and serves to enhance life in our community through the arts. This award pays special attention to both long-standing programs and organizations that have played a consistent role in the community and new organizations and programs that meet a previously unmet community need or focus area.
PAST AWARD RECIPIENTS
Arts Council Award
The honoree(s) selected as the recipient(s) of the Arts Council Award has exhibited a strong commitment of volunteer service and has made a significant impact and contribution to the arts in our community.
2022 – David Neill
2020 – Dale Pollick
2019 – Bill Benton
2018 – Frank and Susan Dickerson
2017 – Steve Berlin
2016 – Bonnie Poindexter
2015 – Nathan Ross Freeman
2014 – Simona Atkins Allen
2013 – Lynn & Barry Eisenberg
2012 – Sylvia Sprinkle-Hamlin
2011 – Rob & Sarah Simon
2010 – Siobhan Olson
2009 – Sue Henderson
2008 – J.D. and Janie Wilson
2007 – Peggy Reingold and Allen Joines
2006 – Bill Benton
R. Philip Hanes, Jr. Young Leader Award
The honoree selected as the recipient of this recognition award is 40 years of age or younger and has exemplified volunteer dedication, contributions and leadership. The time, talent and energy demonstrated by this young leader has furthered the missions of arts and cultural entities of Winston-Salem and Forsyth County and has left a legacy of service for future young leaders as well as for the future development of the cultural resources of our community.
2022 – Toni Tronu
2020 – Magalie Yacinthe
2019 – Larry Barron (LB The Poet) and
Suzy McCalley
2018 – Rachel Schroeder
2017 – Matt Troy
2016 - John Bowhers
2015 – Lawren Desai
2014 – Philip Pledger
2013 – Ed Hanes, Jr.
2012 – Rebecca Nussbaum
2011 – Andy Tennille
2010 – Kelly Maxner
2009 – Cheryl Lindsay
2008 – Ryan Opel
2007 – Chevara Orrin and Marlon Hubbard
2002 – Jeff Smith
2001 – Richard Emmett
Arts Educator Excellence Award
The Arts Educator Excellence Award recognizes an educator or teaching artist who has enriched the education of our community’s youth and inspired the next generation of artists, patrons and creative individuals.
2022 – Leo Rucker, Artist
2020 – Rachel Watson, Winston-Salem Symphony
2019 – Jaime Allbritten, Piedmont Opera
2018 – Phyllis Dunning, Retired Arts Educator
2017 – Christina Soriano (Wake Forest University)
2016 – Amanda Gordon (Diggs-Latham Elementary)
2015 – Peter Wilbur (Arts Based School)
Business Leader in the Arts Award
This award recognizes a local company for their exemplary efforts to integrate the arts into all facets of their corporate culture and employees’ lives. Beginning in 2022, two awards are given for 1,000+ employees and Under 1,000 employees.
2022 – Wells Fargo and Fader RE
2020 – Hanesbrands
2019 – Wake Forest Baptist Health
2018 – Capital Bank
2016 – Novant Health Forsyth Medical Center
Community and Arts Impact Award
This award recognizes an organization or group that uses arts and culture to positively engage with our community in impactful and innovative ways to elevate local artists.
2022 – ByGood Coffee/Darryl and Abbey Garner
Arts Partner Award
This award recognizes an arts or cultural organization that is of high artistic quality and serves to enhance life in our community through the arts. This award pays special attention to both long-standing programs and organizations that have played a consistent role in the community and new organizations and programs that meet a previously unmet community need or focus area.
2022 – Winston-Salem Theatre Alliance