Denver Mayor Mike Johnston honored five outstanding individuals and organizations this week at the 2024 Mayor’s Awards for Excellence in Arts & Culture, continuing a tradition that originally began in 1986.

At a special luncheon, five artists and organizations were recognized and received custom artwork by Chris Wilburn of Access Gallery, an organization dedicated to empowering individuals with disabilities.

Each honoree was also awarded a $2,500 stipend to support their ongoing contributions to Denver’s arts and culture, according to a news release issued by Denver Monday.

“Denver’s art scene is as vibrant and alive as the city itself,” Johnston said in a statement. “The innovative, awe-inspiring work represented here honors our culture, challenges our perspectives, and reflects the range of creative brilliance in our city.”

The 2024 honorees at a glance:

Impact Award: Colorado Dragon Boat Festival

Since its inception in 2001, the Colorado Dragon Boat Festival at Sloan’s Lake Park has grown from a one-day celebration into the largest Dragon Boat Festival in the United States, attracting more than 200,000 attendees over two days.

“We’re actually the largest Dragon Boat Festival in the country, which is shocking because we’re landlocked,” explained Colorado Dragon Boat Festival executive director Sara Moore. “We are a very important event that really creates a sense of safety, security, and comfort for our community.”

Originally designed to celebrate Denver’s growing Asian community, the event now features nearly 50 competitive teams, over 30 food vendors, and more than 60 cultural performances, fostering connection and cultural pride.

Youth Award: In Lak’ech Denver Arts

This Westwood-based organization provides free youth programming led by talented local BIPOC artists. Students explore their heritage through traditional art forms, including Folklorico dance, mariachi music, ceramics, and visual arts, creating works that are showcased at community events. The program empowers youth by fostering creativity and cultural pride.

“I want my kids to see their full potential,” said In Lak’ech Denver art instructor Aaliycia Rodriguez. “I want them to thrive in the world, and I want them to know that their art is amazing and they can do anything.”

Innovation Award: Museum for Black Girls

The Museum for Black Girls pushes the boundaries of art and identity through its exhibitions, storytelling, and community engagement.

“It’s a space created to inspire, to encourage, to motivate, and to elevate and really just see the great accomplishments of black women,” said museum co-creator Von Ross.

By centering the experiences of Black girls, the museum creates innovative spaces for cultural reflection and dialogue, earning its place as a leader in Denver’s cultural scene.

JEDI (Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion) Award: Courtney Ozaki

A third-generation Japanese American, Ozaki founded the Japanese Arts Network (JA-NE) to support Japanese artists and elevate Japanese culture in the U.S. Through her work with JA-NE and other initiatives, she has created meaningful opportunities for community engagement, advancing equity and inclusion in the performing arts.

Ozaki connected with both her family roots and the outer Japanese community through her Taiko drumming. She later expanded on those connections and grew them for other artists with the network.

“Playing Taiko is a way for me to directly connect with anybody else who is in the room,” she explained. “I do think that ‘everything is connected’ concept is at the core of what I do with the Japanese Arts Network.”

Global Award: Museo de las Americas

Dedicated to preserving Latin American and Indigenous cultures, Museo de las Americas is a cornerstone of Denver’s arts community.

“Museo de las Americas is one of 17 Latino art museums in the country. That makes us one very special space,” said Executive Director Claudia Moran in the news release. “It’s really an opportunity for us to showcase Latino art and culture in our communities.”

The museum’s innovative exhibitions and programming have earned national and international recognition, drawing visitors from around the world to learn about and appreciate diverse cultural traditions.

The awards are presented in partnership between the mayor’s office, Denver Arts & Venues and the Denver Commission on Cultural Affairs. 

For a complete overview of this year’s honorees, visit Denver’s Arts and Venues website.