Mayor Bowser Marks 40th Annual Mayor's Arts Awards With a Historic Celebration of DC's Creative Community

(Washington, DC) - Last night, Mayor Muriel Bowser hosted the 40th Annual Mayor's Arts Awards, Washington DC's most prestigious recognition of outstanding achievement in the arts, humanities, and creative industries. The event, which was produced by the award-winning Office of Cable Television, Film, Music, and Entertainment (OCTFME) and the Creative Affairs Office (CAO), took place at the historic National Theatre in Downtown DC.

"Washington, DC is home to some of the most dynamic and inspiring creatives in the world," said Mayor Bowser. "They keep our neighborhoods vibrant, they create jobs for DC residents, and they help us tell the story of the real DC. Through the Mayor's Arts Awards, we are not only celebrating their extraordinary contributions but also affirming the role of the arts in building a stronger, more vibrant city."

During the ceremony, the Bowser Administration bestowed two special awards that recognize extraordinary service and lasting contributions to Washington, DC's creative community. The Mayor's Arts Award for Lifetime Achievement was presented to Blues Alley, the nation's oldest continuously operating jazz supper club. Now celebrating its 60th anniversary, Blues Alley has been a cornerstone of Washington, DC's cultural life, shaping the city's identity as a global music capital and nurturing generations of jazz legends and audiences alike.

The coveted Mayor's Arts Award for Distinguished Honor was presented to Gretchen Wharton. A lifelong Washingtonian and visionary leader, Wharton was instrumental in expanding Art All Night from a neighborhood festival in Shaw into a free, citywide celebration across all eight wards that has drawn hundreds of thousands of attendees and generated tens of millions of dollars for DC businesses. For decades, she has been a driving force in advancing the District's arts and cultural landscape, supporting artists, strengthening institutions, and ensuring that Washington, DC continues to be a place where creativity and innovation flourish.

"This milestone 40th year is about honoring extraordinary artists and organizations while spotlighting the arts as a driving force in DC's growth," said OCTFME Director LaToya Foster. "The arts tell our story, build our economy, and inspire the future. Our honorees remind us that DC's creative spirit is unmatched."

District residents across all eight wards nominated and selected the winners in 13 of the 15 categories via online voting. The evening was hosted by DC's own Tommy McFly (NBC4) and featured performances by Grammy-nominated recording artist Eric Roberson, celebrated soprano Symone Harcum, the Washington Ballet, DC's own genre-bending band Black Alley, and many more talented artists.

The winners of the 40th Annual Mayor's Arts Awards are as follows:

Award for Excellence in Arts Education: Duke Ellington School of the Arts
The Award for Excellence in Arts Education honors an individual, group, nonprofit organization, or private entity that has made significant contributions in Arts Education in the District of Columbia by supporting the development of imagination and creativity in young people and demonstrating the value of the arts as essential to education. Honorees may include, but are not limited to, teachers in DC Public Schools, public charter schools, and independent arts education programs or practitioners.

Award for Excellence as a Community Arts Philanthropist: Rahsaan Bernard
The Award for Excellence as a Community Arts Philanthropist honors an individual, group, nonprofit organization, or private entity that has demonstrated outstanding dedication and generosity in advancing the arts and creative culture within the District of Columbia. This accolade honors their significant contributions through impactful community advocacy, visionary philanthropic efforts, and steadfast support that enriches and sustains the local artistic community.

Award for Excellence in the Creative Industries: Washington Performing Arts
The Award for Excellence in the Creative Industries honors an individual, business, nonprofit organization, or group that has made a significant contribution in the creative industries in the District of Columbia, through the direct production of their creative work and their leadership in developing the creative economy. Creative industry work and disciplines may include, but are not limited to, design arts, culinary arts, graphic designers, museums, lighting designers, sound engineers, crafters, event curators, festival organizers, and exhibitors.

Award for Excellence in Fashion and Beauty Industries: Derrick Rutledge
The Award for Excellence in Fashion and Beauty Industries honors a business, individual, non-profit, or a collective group of creatives that has made a significant contribution to the fashion and beauty communities in the District. This award category includes, but is not limited to, DC-based fashion and beauty retailers and designers; fashion event producers with a portfolio demonstrating engagement within the fashion community, promoting DC as a fashion destination; technical curriculum-based sewing and fashion instructors; professional makeup artists and licensed beauty culture professionals such as cosmetologists, barbers, tattoo artists, and salon owners with a portfolio or body of work that exhibits significant community engagement and/or distinctive work in the arts and entertainment industries.

Award for Excellence in Go-Go Music: EU Featuring Sugar Bear
The Award for Excellence in Go-Go Music honors an individual, group, nonprofit organization, or private entity that has made significant contributions to the Go-Go music genre. This award recognizes those who have demonstrated exceptional dedication to advancing and preserving the rich cultural heritage of Go-Go. Recipients of this award have shown an unwavering commitment to innovation, creativity, and community engagement, ensuring that Go-Go music continues to thrive and inspire future generations. Their efforts have not only elevated the genre within the local and national music scenes but have also reinforced its importance as a cornerstone of Washington, DC's unique cultural identity.

Award for Excellence in the Humanities: UDC College of Arts & Sciences
The Award for Excellence in the Humanities honors an individual, group, nonprofit organization, or private entity that has made significant contributions in the humanities in the District of Columbia through the direct practice and/or production of their work. Humanities disciplines may include, but are not limited to, literature, history, language, philosophy, anthropology, archeology, musicality, religion, and social science.

Award for Excellence in Media Arts: DC Decades
The Award for Excellence in Media Arts honors an individual, group, nonprofit organization, or private entity that has made significant contributions in Media Arts in the District of Columbia, through the direct practice and/or production of their artistic work. Media Arts disciplines honored may include, but are not limited to, film, television, radio, podcasting, content creation, augmented reality/virtual reality production, game design, and other creative tech.

Award for Excellence in the Nightlife Economy: metrobar and Vinoda Basnayake (tie)
The Award for Excellence in the Nightlife Economy honors an individual, group, nonprofit organization, or private entity that has made a significant contribution to the nightlife economy of the District of Columbia through the direct production of events, activations, and establishments in the nightlife industry. The nightlife industry can include, but is not limited to, bars, clubs, lounges, entertainment venues, and nightlife promoters.

Award for Excellence in Performing Arts: C. Brian Williams, Step Afrika!
The Award for Excellence in Performing Arts honors an individual, group, nonprofit organization, or private entity that has made significant contributions in the Performing Arts in the District of Columbia, through the direct practice and/or performance of their artistic work. Performing arts disciplines honored may include: all dance disciplines and styles, including, but not limited to, jazz, tap, ballet, modern, hip-hop, folk, and ballroom; theatre practitioners, including, but not limited to, actors and directors; music community and organizations, including, but not limited to, composers, singers, instrumentalists, bands, orchestras, small and large ensembles, and choruses.

Award for Excellence in Visual Arts: Imani Shanklin Roberts
The Award for Excellence in Visual Arts honors an individual, group, nonprofit organization, or private entity that has made significant contributions in visual arts in the District of Columbia through the direct practice of their artistic work. Visual arts disciplines honored may include, but are not limited to, ceramics, drawing, painting, sculpture, printmaking, design, photography, and crafts.

Emerging Creative Award: Hirshhorn Teens Emerging Artists Program
The Emerging Creative Award honors an individual in the arts or creative industry who is making significant strides at the outset of their career. This breakthrough award recognizes a visionary who is shaping the future of the arts and has made a substantial impact on the creative culture of the District of Columbia.

Award for Excellence in Youth Creativity: DC SCORES, Sarah-mari, and Londen Jones (tie)
The Award for Excellence in Youth Creativity celebrates young creatives between the ages of 7 and 17. The award honors youth as follows: individuals, group performing artists, entrepreneurs, or businesses, including, but not limited to, dance, music, writing, advocacy, photography, and media. The youth must be at the helm and/or focus of the organization or movement that is creating and contributing to the District's creative community.

Larry Neal Writers' Award: Susie Dumond
The Larry Neal Writers' Award commemorates the artistic legacy of the late author, educator, and activist, Larry Neal, who was also formerly the executive director of the DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities (CAH). The award honors an individual who has made a significant contribution in the District of Columbia through the direct practice or production of their work as a writer. Written forms can include, but are not limited to, fiction/non-fiction short stories, dramatic writing, playwriting, and poetry.

Award for Lifetime Achievement: Blues Alley
The Mayor's Arts Award for Lifetime Achievement is presented to an artist, arts patron, or cultural institution whose enduring body of work has significantly influenced and enriched the cultural fabric of Washington, DC. Chosen by the Mayor, this award honors those whose lifetime of contributions has shaped the city's creative legacy and inspired generations. The recipient exemplifies artistic excellence, cultural impact, and a long-standing commitment to the arts in the District of Columbia. Past recipients include Rare Essence (2018), Wilhelmina Cole Holladay (2017), Lou Stovall (2016), and Peggy Cooper Cafritz (2015).

Award for Distinguished Honor: Gretchen Wharton
The Mayor's Arts Award for Distinguished Honor is a prestigious merit award, with the honoree selected by the Mayor. The award is bestowed upon an individual, group, nonprofit organization, or private entity whose contributions to arts and culture in the District of Columbia have been substantial and consistent. The recipient's achievements span 20 years or more, with local, regional, and national impact. Most recent past honorees include Jan DuPlain (2023), the late Vanilla Beane (2022), the late Sam Gilliam (2021), and Virginia Ali (2020).

This year's impressive roster of presenters included:

• Cora Masters Barry, Recreation Wish List Committee Founder & CEO
• Reggie Van Lee, Philanthropist and Washington DC Commission on the Arts & Humanities Chair
• Tressa Smallwood, Megamind Media CEO
• Paul Wharton, Emmy-nominated TV Host & Author
• Sharonda Davila-Irving, Style Strategist and Bloom CEO
• Maude Okrah Hunter, Black Beauty Roster Founder
• Ron Moten, Go-Go Museum Co-Founder
• Aaron Meyers, Washington DC Commission on the Arts & Humanities Executive Director
• Corinna Delgado, TV & Radio Personality
• Jermon Williams, Broccoli City Festival Co-Founder
• Gerren Price, Downtown BID CEO
• Kristina Noell, Anacostia BID Executive Director
• Margaret O'Neal, Artist, Activist, and Vote for Your Daughter Founder
• My Ly, My Ly Design Founder
• Duke Ellington School of the Arts
• H.H. Leonards, Author and O Museum in The Mansion Founder
• Paul Cohn, J. Paul Restaurant Group Founder

This year's exceptional live performances and appearances included:

• Award-winning NBC4 Broadcaster Tommy McFly, Host
• Kyle On The Mic, Red Carpet Host
• Justin Stewart, NBC4, Red Carpet Host
• Cecily Fernandez, DCN, Red Carpet Host
• Adimu Colón, Veteran Broadcaster and Announcer
• Eric Roberson, Grammy-nominated Jazz Singer, Producer, and Composer
• Symone Harcum, Renowned Opera Vocalist
• Black Alley, Go-Go Music Sensation
• The Washington Ballet
• Crush Funk Brass Band
• Sandy Choi, Violinist
• Susanna Mendlow, Cellist
• Malik DOPE, Nationally Acclaimed Percussionist (Former America's Got Talent Contestant)
• DJ Chris Styles

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