Nominations
2026 APPLICATIONS NOW OPEN!
Accepting Applications through August 18
Nominations may be submitted for individuals, organizations, creative businesses or programs that meet the eligibility requirements and align with one of the five award categories listed below.
Self-nominations and nominations of others are accepted. A single nomination form will be used for all award categories.
2026 AWARD CATEGORIES
MAYOR’S AWARD FOR ACCESS IN ARTS & CULTURE
This award recognizes an individual or organization whose work expands access to arts and culture in Denver.
Examples may include:
- Increasing diverse representation
- Reducing barriers to participation
- Strengthening neighborhood-based cultural initiatives
- Advancing equity, inclusion and engagement for Denver residents
.
MAYOR’S AWARD FOR COMMUNITY IN ARTS & CULTURE
This award recognizes an individual or organization whose work strengthens Denver’s cultural community and supports a vibrant and inclusive arts ecosystem.
Examples may include:
- Amplifying artistic successes
- Building partnerships across sectors
- Integrating artists into decision-making
- Expanding leadership, professional development or educational opportunities
Apply Now!
MAYOR’S AWARD FOR ECONOMIC VITALITY IN ARTS & CULTURE
This award recognizes an individual, organization or creative business whose work strengthens Denver’s cultural sector and contributes to the city’s economic vitality.
Examples may include:
- Expanding access to affordable arts and cultural spaces
- Supporting or retaining local creative talent
- Creating economic opportunities within Denver’s creative sector
- Helping Denver remain a thriving hub for arts and creativity
MAYOR’S AWARD FOR YOUTH IMPACT IN ARTS & CULTURE
This award recognizes either:
- A young person age 24 or younger who is making a positive contribution to arts and culture in Denver; or
- An individual, organization, creative business or program that creates a positive impact for Denver youth through the arts
Eligible youth-serving work must primarily benefit young people in Denver age 24 or younger.
MAYOR’S VIBRANT DENVER AWARD IN ARTS & CULTURE
This award recognizes an individual, organization or business demonstrating exceptional leadership, service and vision that has significantly advanced Denver’s cultural vibrancy and well-being. This could include work in the sector or beyond that incorporates arts and culture into everyday experiences.
The award honors work that:
- Strengthens community pride
- Builds community connections
- Expands opportunities
- Building public momentum and excitement for arts and culture
- Integrating art into everyday life for everyone in Denver
- Connecting art and culture in unexpected ways across the city
- Helps shape a thriving future for Denver residents
- Related to the Mayor’s Goals
ELIGIBILITY
Awards are open to individuals, organizations and creative businesses that meet the following requirements.
Nominees must:
- Conduct work that is community-informed, community-rooted and aligned with the City’s equity, diversity and inclusion values
- Be in good standing with the City and County of Denver and the State of Colorado, as applicable
- Not have received a Mayor’s Award for Excellence in Arts & Culture within the past 10 years
- Conduct the work being recognized primarily within the City and County of Denver
Programs are eligible in all five categories.
Each organization or individual must be in good standing with the Colorado Secretary of State in order to do business with the City and County of Denver.
WHAT AWARDEES RECEIVE
- Awardees for the 2026 Mayor’s Awards for Excellence in Arts & Culture will receive:
-
An invitation to the Mayor’s Awards ceremony for the awardee and up to four guests
- An original award artwork created by a local artist
- A professionally produced video highlighting the awardee’s work and its connection to the award category
- A $2,500 honorarium
The video will premiere during the Mayor’s Awards ceremony and will be provided to the awardee afterward for use on their website and promotional channels.
NOMINATION AND SELECTION PROCESS
A single nomination form will be used for all nominations, including self-nominations and nominations of others.
Eligible nominations will be evaluated using a standardized scoring method and rubric. Final decisions regarding award recipients will be made by the review committee.
Nominations are reviewed by a selection committee using a consistent set of criteria. Reviewers consider factors such as community impact, alignment with the award category, equity, innovation and leadership.
Final award decisions are made through this review process.
Nominators will select the award category when submitting a nomination. Guidance is provided within the application to help ensure each nomination is submitted to the most appropriate category.
LANGUAGE ACCESS
Denver Arts & Venues complies with applicable Federal civil rights laws and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability, gender or language. It is your right to request oral or written language assistance services in your primary language, if needed. Please contact Denver Arts & Venues and these services will be provided to you free of charge.