The Raleigh Medal of Arts is awarded for extraordinary achievement in the practice or support of local arts. The Arts Commission’s Raleigh Medal of Arts awards program is funded by the City of Raleigh, individuals, and business sponsors.

Based on the National Medal of Arts program, the Raleigh award was inaugurated in 1984 by the Raleigh Arts Commission so that excellence in the arts could be given special recognition. The Raleigh Medal of Arts is the City’s highest arts honor.

View past Raleigh Medal of Arts winners

2021 Raleigh Medal of Arts Awards: The 2021 Raleigh Medal of Arts Awards will premiere virtually on this webpage (https://raleighnc.gov/medal-arts#paragraph–325101) and the City of Raleigh YouTube channel on Tuesday, June 8 at 7 p.m.

In addition to performances from The Raleigh Boychoir, Jacqueline Saed Wolborsky from the North Carolina Symphony, and a unique performance from one of our arts partners, the event will honor the 2020 Raleigh Medal of Arts Awardees.

Individual Awardees
  • Debra Austin, Founding Member and Ballet Master, Carolina Ballet
  • Betsy Buford, Cultural ambassador for Raleigh, Wake County and the State of North Carolina
  • Grant Llewellyn, Music Director, North Carolina Symphony
  • Eleanor Oakley, Executive Director, United Arts of Raleigh and Wake County (retired)
  • Jeremy Tucker, Artistic Director, Raleigh Boychoir

Raleigh Medal of Arts “Arts Hero” Award: Organization Beltline to Broadway (formerly RDU On Stage) receives this award for its focused support for arts organizations, individual artists, and community members during the COVID-19 pandemic crisis and their informational and educational support of the Black Lives Matter movement.

Learn more about the 2020 awardees

Event Registration: Please register for the 2021 Raleigh Medal of Arts Awards to receive Eventbrite reminders and updates about the awards ceremony.

Watching the Awards Ceremony: The ceremony will be available to watch on this webpage (https://raleighnc.gov/medal-arts#paragraph–325101) and on the City of Raleigh YouTube channel on Tuesday, June 8 at 7 p.m.

Ceremony Program: Please stay tuned for an online downloadable program from the presenter.

(Reprinted from City of Raleigh PR.)