The Mayor’s Arts Awards Celebrates The Big 4-0
By • September 29, 2025 0 490
The 40th Annual Mayor’s Arts Awards, “A Night of Elegance and Inspiration,” was held on September 25 at The National Theatre. It was everything a 40th anniversary should be—a celebration for all who create art to join with those who enjoy the arts.
NBC-4’s Tommy McFly hosted the stellar event of presentations of 15 awards interspersed with performances by many of D.C.’s favorite artists.
40th Annual Mayors Arts Awards Show Host Tommy McFly. Photo by Alijah Jones.
The highlight of the evening was Mayor Muriel Bowser’s speech on the state of the arts in Washington. She also presented two special awards. Georgetown’s own Blues Alley received the Mayor’s Lifetime Achievement Award. Noted as “the nation’s oldest continuing jazz supper club,” Blues Alley continues the tradition of presenting renowned artists in an intimate setting. Arts activist and advocate Gretchen B. Wharton received the Mayor’s Distinguished Honor Award. Among her many achievements is Art All Night, which is now
celebrated in all eight wards in the District.
Featured performances of the region’s favorite artists included a range from pre-opening music with DJ Chris Styles to the Crush Funk Brass Band who marched in down the aisles. Jazz was well represented by The Duke Ellington School of the Arts while opera singer Symone Harcum sang classical arias. The Washington Ballet drew awes for a duet of spectacular fluid movement. Violinist Sandy Choi and Cellist Susanna Mendlow played during an in memoriam segment of those who have died in the past year.
Crush Funk Brass Band opens the show with an entrance from main lobby. Photo by Alijah Jones.
Go-go was well represented with Back Alley and go-go music sensation and nationally acclaimed percussionist (and America’s Got Talent Contestant) Malik DOPE. There was also veteran broadcaster and announcer Adimu Colón and Grammy-nominated jazz singer, producer and composer Eric Roberson.
Also appearing were red carpet hosts Kyle On The Mic, Justin Stewart of NBC4 and DCN’s Cecily Fernandez.
The list of presenters was impressive, and the audience was also filled with artists, making this a true community celebration of the arts.
Videos throughout included one of a short history of the Mayor’s Arts Awards, initiated by former Mayor Marion Barry, and with clips on how events like the pandemic have affected the art scene.
It has been noted that under Mayor Bowser’s leadership, the D.C. Creative Community has grown from $2B a year to $15 Billion a year industry.
LaToya Foster, director of the D.C. Office of Cable Television, Film, Music, and Entertainment (OCTFME), said that the awards “have always reflected the voice of our residents by honoring the incredible artists and organizations who make D.C. the creative capital.”
Office of Cable Television Film Music and Entertainment Director LaToya Foster. Photo by Alijah Jones.
During September, D.C. residents across eight wards nominated and voted to select winners in 13 categories. The wide variety of arts represents how art is part of life as well as how it contributes to the District’s creative economy. Categories included: Culinary, Cosmetology, Sports, Entertainment, the Arts, Artists, Actors, Writers, Poets, Musicians, Chefs, Filmmakers, Fashion, Performing Arts, Tech Entrepreneurs, Visual Artists, Production Support Companies and Entrepreneurs.
And the winners of the 40th Annual Mayor’s Arts Awards are:
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
Award for Excellence in Community Arts Philanthropist Rahsaan Bernard and Reggie Van Lee. Photo by Alijah Jones.
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
Award for Excellence in Fashion and Beauty Industries Derrick Rutledge and Paul Wharton. Photo by Patricia McDougall.
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
Award for Excellence in Humanities went to UDC’s College of Arts and Humanities. Dr Jeffrey Flemming (with tie) and Aaron Myers of the DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities. Photo by Alijah Jones.
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
Emerging Creative Award -Hirshhorn Teens Emerging Artists Program-Domenica Guaman Ochoa. Courtesy DC OCTFME.
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)
Award for Excellence in Youth Creativity: Three way tie among Sarah Mari (far left), Charity Blackwell (with trophy), Londen Jones (in front), and Katrina Owens (in blue). Photo by Patricia McDougall.
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
Award for Distinguished Honor Gretchen Wharton with Mayor Muriel Bowser. Photo by Alijah Jones.
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).
