Annenberg Award
In April 2008, FAPE established the Leonore and Walter Annenberg Award for Diplomacy through the Arts to honor distinguished American individuals who have demonstrated outstanding achievements in furthering global understanding of the United States. Honorees must demonstrate long-term excellence and innovation in the exchange of creativity and ideas that represent the rich and diverse culture of the United States.
The official Award was designed and contributed by preeminent American artist, Ellsworth Kelly. Carlson Arts LLC donated the fabrication costs. Takaaki Matsumoto donated the design of the Award’s base.
AGNES GUND, 2011 HONOREE
Left to right: Ann Gund, FAPE President Emerita; Agnes Gund, 2011 recipient of the Annenberg Award, and FAPE Board member; Graham Gund. Photo by Mary Hilliard, courtesy of the National Gallery of Art.
In 2011, FAPE honored Agnes Gund as the third Annenberg Award recipient. As President Emerita of The Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) and Chairman of MoMA’s International Council, Ms. Gund has built and sustained relationships between the Museum and a diverse network of modern and contemporary art communities across the globe. She actively promotes cross-cultural dialogue through collecting and lending her art collection, including works from artists in China, Iceland, Japan, Latin America, West Africa, among others. Ms. Gund was selected not only for her longstanding patronage of the arts, but also for her unyielding dedication to providing arts education programming for children as Founder and Trustee of Studio in a School.
MICHAEL R. BLOOMBERG, 2010 HONOREE
Ellsworth Kelly with Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg, the 2010 Annenberg Award recipient. Photo by Mary Hilliard.
The 2010 Annenberg Award recipient was Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg. He was selected for his exceptional support and promotion of the arts and his tremendous impact on New York City’s diverse cultural community. As Mayor, he has energized and expanded support for non-profit arts organizations throughout all five boroughs; encouraged excellence in design for city building programs; and promoted world-class public art installations, including major exhibitions by international artists.
STEPHEN G. BREYER, 2009 HONOREE
Ellsworth Kelly with Justice Stephen G. Breyer, the first recipient of the Annenberg Award. Photo by Mary Hilliard.
Stephen G. Breyer, Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States, was the first recipient of the Award. Justice Breyer was chosen for his highly-regarded contributions to the U.S. Supreme Court, and also because of his ardent support of the arts and culture as inalienable expressions of democracy. His work overseeing the design and construction of the John Joseph Moakley Federal Courthouse in Boston speaks to his commitment to the intersection of government and the arts.