Awards Dinner History

Since 1971, the Skowhegan Awards Dinner has honored artists, philanthropists, and cultural leaders who have made exceptional contributions to contemporary art.

2024

Honoring:

Howardena Pindell (F’80) Medal for Painting

White Columns
Governors’ Award for Outstanding Service to Artists

Forge Project & Candice Hopkins Vanguard Award for Pioneering Work in the Arts

MARLENE MCCARTY (F '11)
SUZANNE MCCLELLAND (F '99, '22)
ALIX PEARLSTEIN (F '04)
Co-Chairs, Board of Governors
JANINE ANTONI (F '98)
BERNARD I. LUMPKIN &
CARMINE D. BOCCUZZI
BECKY & DAVID GOCHMAN
GREG & SUSIE PALM
BLOOMBERG PHILANTHROPIES
Awards Dinner Co-Chairs
CAT DAWSON
MATTHEW MCCARDWELL
ELEANOR KIPPING (A'18)
JEFFREY MERIS (A'19)
JOIRI MINAYA (A'13)
BIRGIT RATHSMANN (A'04)
After-Party Co-Chairs

2023

Honoring:

Suzanne Deal Booth
Gertrude Vanderbilt Whitney Award for Patronage of the Arts

Visual AIDS
Governors’ Award for Outstanding Service to Artists

Lonnie Holley (F ‘22)
Medal for Painting

Matt Arnett & Virginia Prescott
Emily Bode Aujla
Fairfax Dorn & Marc Glimcher
Chitra Ganesh (A '01, F '13, ' 19)
Linda Goode Bryant (F '22)
Stephanie Hunt & Stephen Trevor
Awards Dinner Co-Chairs

Noreen Khalid Ahmad
Laura Burton & Owen Duffy
Ally Caple (A ‘19)
Malcolm Peacock (A ‘17)
After Party Co-Chairs

2022

Honoring:

Roy Lichtenstein Foundation & Jack Cowart, Founding Executive Director
Gertrude Vanderbilt Whitney Award for Outstanding Patronage of the Arts

Byron Kim (A '86, F '99, '13)
Medal for Painting

Janine Antoni (F '98)
Bernard I. Lumpkin & Carmine D. Boccuzzi
Victoria Fu (A '06)
BB & Jud Reis
Paula Volent
Awards Dinner Co-Chairs
Morgan Aguiar-Lucander
Desiree Almodovar
Ashley Artis
Chase Hall (A ‘19)
Ashley Teamer (A ‘14)
Jasmine Wahi
After-Party Co-Chairs
Kilo Kish
Special Performance
Aku + Niks
DJ Set
Guastavino’s, New York City

2021

In celebration of Skowhegan’s 75th Anniversary, a Benefit Dinner was held honoring:

Ann Gund, Chair, Board of Trustees (1998–2022)
Special Toast for her exceptional service to Skowhegan

Eleanor Acquavella
Donald Moffett (F '04)
Howardena Pindell (F '80)
Paula J. Volent
Alan Wanzenberg
Co-Chairs
Matthew Teitelbaum, Ann and Graham Gund Director, Museum of Fine Arts in Boston
Special Toast
David Antonio Cruz (A '06, '21)
Special Toast
Norm Lewis
Special Performance
Rainbow Room, New York City

Click here to learn more about the 75th Anniversary Celebrations.

2020

Honoring:

Foundation for Art & Preservation in Embassies
Skowhegan Impact Award

Barbara Hunt McLanahan in memoriam
Governors’ Award for Outstanding Service to Artists

El Anatsui (F '07)
Medal for Sculpture

Eleanor Acquavella
Sir David Adjaye Obe
Bob Colacello
Chiara Edmands
Suydam (Sydie) Lansing
Jane Lauder
Joel Shapiro (F '76, '80) & Ellen Phelan
Aerin Lauder Zinterhofer
Co-Chairs
Eleanor Acquavella
Berkowitz Contemporary Foundation
Blavatnik Family Foundation
Chiara & Ben Edmands
Agnes Gund
Rena & Scott Hoffman
Jo Carole & Ronald S. Lauder
Alexander F. Milliken
Jennifer & Jason New
Gregory K. & Susan R. Palm
Gabriela Palmieri
Amitha Raman & Neil Luthra
Bb & Jud Reis
John J. Studzinski, Cbe
Paula J. Volent
Alan Wanzenberg
Dian Woodner
Vice Chairs
Derrick Adams (A ‘02, F ‘13)
Caroline Hoffman
Elle Pérez (A ‘15)
Amitha Raman
After-Party Co-Chairs
Jacolby Satterwhite (A '09)
Video Performance
Ian Isiah
Music Performance
Mistervacation
After-Party DJ Set
Virtual, Online

2019

Honoring:

Peter & Paula Lunder
Gertrude Vanderbilt Whitney Award for Outstanding Patronage of the Arts

Anonymous Was A Woman, Susan Unterberg
Governors’ Award for Outstanding Service to Artists

Francesco Clemente (F ’83)
Medal for Painting

Lorraine O’Grady (F ’99, ’13)
Medal for Conceptual and Cross-Disciplinary Practices

Chiara Edmands
Ann & Graham Gund
Jennie C. Jones (A ’96, F ’14)
Jennifer New
Alan Wanzenberg
Co-Chairs
David C. Driskell (A ’53, F ’76, ’78, ’91, ’04)
David A. Greene
Darren Walker
Honorary Co-Chairs
Derrick Adams (A ’02, F ’13)
Sarah Hogate Bacon
Caroline Hoffman
Elle Pérez (A ’15)
Amitha Raman
Arthur Simms (A ’85, F ’10)
Sable Elyse Smith (A ’15)
After-Party Co-Chairs
SKOWBEATZ, Billy Dufala (A '18), Chiffon Thomas (A '18), Xu Wang (A ‘18)
Cocktail Performance
Masego
Oscar Nñ / Papi Juice
After-Party Performances
Cipriani 42nd Street, New York City

2018

Honoring:

ArtPlace America and Jamie Bennett, Executive Director
Skowhegan Impact Award

Barbara Lapcek, Skowhegan Executive Director (1985-1996)
Governors’ Award for Outstanding Service to Artists

Peter Doig (F ‘07)
Medal for Painting

Betye Saar (F ’85, ‘14)
Medal for Sculpture

Rachel Feinstein (A ’93)
Ann Gund
Stephanie Hunt
Victoria Love Salnikoff
Ursula von Rydingsvard (F ’88)
Nari Ward (A ’91, F ‘03)
Co-Chairs
The Plaza, New York City

2017

Honoring:

The Pollock-Krasner Foundation and Charles C. Bergman, Chairman & CEO
Gertrude Vanderbilt Whitney Award for Outstanding Patronage of the Arts

The Studio Museum in Harlem, accepted by Thelma Golden, Director & Chief Curator
Governors’ Award for Outstanding Service to Artists

William T. Williams (A ’65, F ’71, ’73, ‘78)
Governors’ Award for Outstanding Service to Artists

Jack Whitten
Medal for Painting

Ellen Altfest (A ’02)
David Beitzel (A ’82) & Darren Walker
Leonardo Drew (A ’89, F ’09)
Rena & Scott Hoffman
Stephanie Hunt & Stephen Trevor
Bernard I. Lumpkin
Erica & Joseph Samuels
Co-Chairs
Metropolis Ensemble, Andrew Cyr, Artist Director/Conductor
Performance
The Plaza, New York City

2016

Honoring:

David C. Driskell (A ’53, F ’76, ’78, ’91, ’04; Governor ’75-’80, ’82-’89; Trustee ’89-’02)and Advisory Board Member
Lifetime Legacy Award

Shelly & Donald Rubin
Gertrude Vanderbilt Whitney Award for Outstanding Patronage of the Arts

The Committee to Save Cooper Union, accepted by representatives of CSCU: Michael Borkowsky, Adrian Burton Jovanovic, Toby Cumberbatch, Mike Essl, and Scott Lerman
Governors’ Award for Outstanding Service to Artists

Julie Mehretu
Medal for Painting

David Beitzel (A ’85) & Darren Walker
Ann & Graham Gund
Paul Pfeiffer (F ’05, ‘10)
Co-Chairs
Eleanor Acquavella Dejoux & Morgan Dejoux
Agnes Gund
Dorothy Lichtenstein
Greg & Susie Palm
BB & Jud Reis
Vice Chairs
The Plaza, New York City

2015

Honoring:

Daniel & Estrellita Brodsky
Gertrude Vanderbilt Whitney Award for Outstanding Patronage of the Arts

Lia Gangitano (A ’90), Founder & Director, PARTICIPANT INC
Governors’ Award for Outstanding Service to Artists

Christopher Wool
Medal for Painting

Eleanor Acquavella Dejoux
Chiara Edmands
Mihail Lari
Robert L. Looker
Co-Chairs
Meredith James (A ’11)
Installation
4 World Trade Center, New York City

2014

Honoring:

Len & Louise Riggio
Gertrude Vanderbilt Whitney Award for Outstanding Patronage of the Arts

Lucy Lippard (F ’79)
Governors’ Award for Outstanding Service to Artists

Theaster Gates
Medal for Sculpture in the Expanded Field

Kate D. Levin
Award for Exceptional Civil Leadership

David Beitzel (A ’82) & Darren Walker
Andrea Crane
Eleanor Acquavella Dejoux
Alan Wanzenberg
Fred Wilson (F ’95)
Co-Chairs
Janine Antoni (F ’88) & Stephen Petronio
Performance
Gotham Hall, New York City

2013

Honoring:

Andy Warhol, accepted by Joel Wachs, President, The Andy Warhol Foundation fro the Visual Arts
Gertrude Vanderbilt Whitney Award for Outstanding Patronage of the Arts

John Otterbridge
Governors’ Award for Outstanding Service to Artists

Guerrilla Girls (F ’00)
Medal for Outstanding Contributions to Artmaking

David Beitzel (A ’82) & Darren Walker
Donald Moffett (F ’04) & Robert Gober (F ’94)
Co-Chairs
Jesus Benavente (A ’12)
Installation & Performance
Ander Mikalson (A ’12)
Performance
Allen Ruppersberg (F ’01)
Playlist
583 Park Avenue, New York City

2012

Honoring:

Exit Art, Papo Colo & in memory of Jeanette Ingberman
Governors’ Award for Outstanding Service to Artists

Luis Camnitzer (F ’14)
Medal for Conceptual & Interdisciplinary Practices

Mary Heilmann (F ’85, ’95)
Medal for Painting

Kara Walker (F ’01)
Medal for Sculpture, Installation & Drawing

David Beitzel (A ’85) & Darren Walker
Sanford Biggers (A '98, F '10)
Andrea Crane
Chiara Edmands
Byron Kim (A '86, F' 99, '13)
Mark Swanson (A ’00, F ’14) & Joe Mama-Nitzberg
Co-Chairs
Maya Hayuk (A ’11)
Mural
Esteban del Valle (A ’11)
Video
DJ Arthur Simms (A ’85, F ’10)
Music
Skylight SoHo, New York City

2011

Honoring:

Robert Storr (A ’78, F ’02)
Gertrude Vanderbilt Whitney Award for Outstanding Patronage of the Arts

Anne Pasternak, Creative Time
Governors’ Award for Outstanding Service to Artists

Ai Weiwei
Medal for Multidisciplinary Art

Mark Bradford
Medal for Painting

Ursula von Rydingsvard
Medal for Sculpture

Chuck Close
Anna Marie & Robert F. Shapiro
Chairs
SKOTE, Jill Pangallo (A ’10) & Alex White (A ’10)
Performance
Skylight SoHo, New York City

2010

Honoring:

Norman Munn, Founder, Arts Community Federal Credit Union
Governors’ Award for Outstanding Service to Artists

Ron Gorchov
Medal for Painting

Joan Jonas (F ’06)
Medal for Perfomance & Video

Cy Twombly
Medal for Sculpture

Ann & Graham Gund
Greg & Susie Palm
Chairs
Cipriani Wall Street, New York City

2009

Honoring:

Philippe de Montebello
Gertrude Vanderbilt Whitney Award for Outstanding Patronage of the Arts

Bill Aguado, Executive Director, Bronx Council on the Arts
Governors’ Award for Outstanding Service to Artists

Catherine Murphy (A ’66)
Medal for Painting

Paul McCarthy
Medal for Sculpture

Ashton Hawkins
Ambassador William & Wendy Luers
Chairs
Cipriani Wall Street, New York City

2008

Honoring:

Patricia Phelps de Cisneros
Gertrude Vanderbilt Whitney Award for Outstanding Patronage of the Arts

Susan Sollins, Executive Director, Art:21
Governors’ Award for Outstanding Service to Artists

Kerry James Marshall
Medal for Painting

Carrie Mae Weems (F ’00)
Medal for Photography

Krzysztof Wodiczko
Medal for Sculpture

Estrellita & Daniel Brodsky
Chairs
Cipriani Wall Street, New York City

2007

Honoring:

Jo Carole Lauder
Gertrude Vanderbilt Whitney Award for Outstanding Patronage of the Arts

Ann Hatch, Capp Street Project, The Oxbow School
Governors’ Award for Outstanding Service to Artists

Jules Olitski d. 2007
Medal for Painting

Fred Wilson (F ’85)
Medal for Sculpture

Mary Lucier
Medal for Video

Jodie & John Eastman
Chairs
Jane Lauder, Aerin & Eric Zinterhofer
Vice Chairs
Cipriani Wall Street, New York City

2006

Honoring:

Seymour H. Knox
Gertrude Vanderbilt Whitney Award for Outstanding Patronage of the Arts

Agnes Gund, Studio in a School
Governors’ Award for Outstanding Service to Artists

General Idea (AA Bronson, Felix Partz d. 1994, Jorge Zontal d. 1994)
Medal for Multimedia

Glenn Ligon (F ‘98, ‘15)
Medal for Painting

Cildo Meireles
Medal for Sculpture

Neil L. Rudenstine & Angelica Zander Rudenstine
Chairs
Cipriani Wall Street, New York City

2005

Honoring:

Cindy & Howard Rachofsky
Gertrude Vanderbilt Whitney Award for Outstanding Patronage of the Arts

Rick Lowe (F ‘98), Project Row Houses
Governors’ Award for Outstanding Service to Artists

David Hammons
Medal for Sculpture

Elizabeth Lecompte
Medal for Performance

John Wesley
Medal for Painting

Marguerite & Robert Hoffman
Chairs
The Plaza, New York City

2004

Honoring:

Melva Bucksbaum & Raymond Learsy
Gertrude Vanderbilt Whitney Award for Outstanding Patronage of the Arts

Holly Block, Art In General
Governors’ Award for Outstanding Service to Artists

Carroll Dunham (F ‘96)
Medal for Painting

Gregory Crewdson
Medal for Photography

Lee Bontecou (A ‘55, F ‘88)
Medal for Sculpture

Robert W. Wilson
Chair
The Plaza, New York City

2003

Honoring:

Peter B. Lewis
Gertrude Vanderbilt Whitney Award for Outstanding Patronage of the Arts

Joyce E. Robinson, Marie Walsh Sharpe Art Foundation
Governors’ Award for Outstanding Service to Artists

Helen Frankenthaler (F ‘86)
Medal for Painting

Jackie Winsor (F ‘80)
Medal for Sculpture

Ann & Graham Gund
Chairs
The Plaza, New York City

2002

Honoring:

Barney A. Ebsworth
Gertrude Vanderbilt Whitney Award for Outstanding Patronage of the Arts

Irving Sandler
Governors’ Award for Outstanding Service to Artists

Yoko Ono
Medal for Assorted Mediums

Lari Pittman (F ‘97)
Medal for Painting

Jeff Koons (F ‘04)
Medal for Sculpture

Anne Sidamon-Eristoff
Chair
The Plaza, New York City

2001

Honoring:

Eugene V. Thaw
Gertrude Vanderbilt Whitney Award for Outstanding Patronage of the Arts

William S. Bartman, Art Resources Transfer, Inc.
Governors’ Award for Outstanding Service to Artists

David Reed (A ‘66, F ‘88)
Medal for Painting

Carolee Schneemann (F ‘01)
Medal for Performance

Pepón Osorio (F ‘98)
Medal for Sculpture

Charles E. Pierce, Jr.
Chair
The Plaza, New York City

2000

Honoring:

John H. Bryan & The Sara Lee Corporation
Gertrude Vanderbilt Whitney Award for Outstanding Patronage of the Arts

Camille Billops & James Hatch, The Hatch-Billops Collection
Governors’ Award for Outstanding Service to Artists

Wayne Thiebaud (F ‘78)
Medal for Painting

Lee Friedlander
Medal for Photography

Kiki Smith (F ‘93)
Medal for Sculpture

Ann & Graham Gund
Wilson & Eliot Nolen
Chairs
The Plaza, New York City

1999

Honoring:

Agnes Gund
Gertrude Vanderbilt Whitney Award for Outstanding Patronage of the Arts

Werner Kramarsky
Governors’ Award for Outstanding Service to Artists

Matthew Barney
Medal for Combined Media

Lawrence Weiner
Medal for Painting & Conceptual Art

Robert Gober (F ‘94, ‘16)
Medal for Sculpture

Peter B. Lewis
Chair
The Plaza, New York City

1998

Honoring:

Anne & John Marion
Gertrude Vanderbilt Whitney Award for Outstanding Patronage of the Arts

Shirin Neshat (F ‘01) & Kyong Park, Storefront for Art and Architecture
Governors’ Award for Outstanding Service to Artists

Mel Bochner (F ‘73)
Medal for Mixed Media

Susan Rothenberg (F ‘80)
Medal for Painting

Richard Tuttle (F ‘95)
Medal for Sculpture

David Geffen
Chair
The Plaza, New York City

1997

Honoring:

Doris & Donald Fisher
Gertrude Vanderbilt Whitney Award for Outstanding Patronage of the Arts

Jonas Mekas, The Anthology Film Archives
Governors’ Award for Outstanding Service to Artists

Mike Kelley (A ‘76)
Medal for Mixed Media

Vija Celmins (F ‘81, ‘92)
Medal for Painting

Chris Burden
Medal for Sculpture

Douglas S. Cramer
Chair
The Plaza, New York City

1996

Honoring:

Leo Castelli
Special Presentation 50th Anniversary Award

Paul Mellon
Special Presentation 50th Anniversary Award

The National Endowment for the Arts
Special Presentation 50th Anniversary Award

Exhibition at Pace Wildenstein Gallery & After-party at The Plaza
The Plaza, New York City

1995

Honoring:

Ruth Carter Stevenson
Gertrude Vanderbilt Whitney Award for Outstanding Patronage of the Arts

Marion (Kippy) Stroud, Fabric Workshop
Governors’ Award for Outstanding Service to Artists

Jacob Lawrence (F '54, '68, 69, '70, '71, '72, '89, '96)
Medal for Painting

Adrian Piper (F ‘97)
Medal for Sculpture & Installation

Nancy Spero
Medal for Works on Paper

Ann & Graham Gund
Chairs
The Plaza, New York City

1994

Honoring:

Virginia & Bagley Wright
Gertrude Vanderbilt Whitney Award for Outstanding Patronage of the Arts

Hope Sandrow, Artist & Homeless Collaborative
Governors’ Award for Outstanding Service to Artists

Jenny Holzer
Medal for Installation

James Rosenquist
Medal for Painting

James Turrell (F ‘83)
Medal for Sculpture

Arthur G. Altschul
Chair
The Plaza, New York City

1993

Honoring:

Donald M. Kendall
Gertrude Vanderbilt Whitney Award for Outstanding Patronage of the Arts

Sidney Simon (F ‘46, ‘47, ‘49, ‘50, ‘51, ‘52, ‘53, ‘54, ‘55, ‘56, ‘57, ‘58, ‘64, ‘75, ‘76), Skowhegan Co-Founder
Governors’ Award for Outstanding Service to Artists

Robert Mangold
Medal for Painting

John Chamberlain (F ‘85)
Medal for Sculpture

Bill Viola
Medal for Video & Installation

Alexander F. Milliken
Chair
The Plaza, New York City

1992

Honoring:

Iris & B. Gerald Cantor
Gertrude Vanderbilt Whitney Award for Outstanding Patronage of the Arts

Berenice Abbott (F ‘86), The Atget Archives
Governors’ Award for Outstanding Service to Artists

Dan Graham
Medal for Mixed Media

Malcolm Morley (F ‘70)
Medal for Painting

Ann Hamilton (F ‘91, ‘93)
Medal for Sculpture

Alexander F. Milliken
Chair
The Plaza, New York City

1991

Honoring:

Laila & Thurston Twigg-Smith
Gertrude Vanderbilt Whitney Award for Outstanding Patronage of the Arts

Martha Wilson, Franklin Furnace
Governors’ Award for Outstanding Service to Artists

Richard Diebenkorn
Medal for Painting

Nam June Paik
Medal for Video

Carl Andre
Medal for Sculpture

Arthur F. Ryan
Chair
The Plaza, New York City

1990

Honoring:

Frances & Sydney Lewis
Gertrude Vanderbilt Whitney Award for Outstanding Patronage of the Arts

Donald Anderson, The Roswell Artist-In-Residence Program
Governors’ Award for Outstanding Service to Artists

John Cage (F ‘67)
Medal for Alternate Genre

Cy Twombly
Medal for Painting

Martin Puryear (F ‘80, ‘88)
Medal for Sculpture

Edye & Eli Broad
Chairs
The Plaza, New York City

1989

Honoring:

Dominique De Menil
Gertrude Vanderbilt Whitney Award for Outstanding Patronage of the Arts

Alanna Heiss, P.S. 1 Contemporary Art Center
Governors’ Award for Outstanding Service to Artists

Cindy Sherman
Medal for Photography

Brice Marden (F ‘70, ‘71, ‘72, ‘76, ‘91)
Medal for Painting

Luis Jiménez (F ‘84)
Medal for Sculpture

John L. Marion
Chair
The Plaza, New York City

1988

Honoring:

George V. Grune & The Lila Wallace Reader’s Digest Fund
Gertrude Vanderbilt Whitney Award for Outstanding Patronage of the Arts

Marcia Tucker, New Museum
Governors’ Award for Outstanding Service to Artists

John Baldessari (F ‘93)
Medal for Conceptual Art

Leon Golub (F ‘89)
Medal for Painting

Richard Artschwager (F ‘85, ‘04)
Medal for Sculpture

John W. Payson
Special Presentation Award

Henry Luce III
Chair
The Plaza, New York City

1987

Honoring:

Benjamin D. Holloway, Equitable
Gertrude Vanderbilt Whitney Award for Outstanding Patronage of the Arts

Robert Blackburn, Printmaking Workshop
Governors’ Award for Outstanding Service to Artists

Robert Ryman (F ‘76)
Medal for Painting

Robert Wilson (F ‘77)
Medal for Drawing

Donald Judd
Medal for Sculpture

Jerry I. Speyer
Chair
The Plaza, New York City

1986

Honoring:

Peter Lawson-Johnston
Gertrude Vanderbilt Whitney Award for Outstanding Patronage of the Arts

David Driskell (A ‘53, F ‘76, ‘78, ‘91, ‘04)
Governors’ Award for Outstanding Service to Artists

Bruce Nauman
Medal for Assorted Mediums

Elizabeth Murray (F ‘79, ‘85, ‘92)
Medal for Painting

Joel Shapiro (F '76, '80)
Medal for Sculpture

Robert M. Gardiner
Chair
The Plaza, New York City

1985

Honoring:

Donald B. Marron
Gertrude Vanderbilt Whitney Award for Outstanding Patronage of the Arts

Robert B. Hale (F ‘60)
Governors’ Award for Outstanding Service to Artists

R.B. Kitaj (F ‘52)
Medal for Drawing

Philip Pearlstein (F ‘65, ‘67, ‘68, ‘72, ‘78, ‘86)
Medal for Painting

Louise Bourgeois
Medal for Sculpture

Daniel P. Davison
Chair
The Plaza, New York City

1984

In place of the annual Awards Dinner, “The Skowhegan Celebration Exhibition” was held from May 1–31 at the Hirschl & Adler Galleries in New York City. The exhibition included works from 43 artists who have received the Skowhegan Medal.

Mrs. McCauley Conner
Mrs. Sandra H. Payson
Chairs
Celebration Exhibition at Hirschl & Adler Galleries; followed by Dinner Dance at The Plaza, New York City

1983

Honoring:

Gordon Hanes
Gertrude Vanderbilt Whitney Award for Outstanding Patronage of the Arts

Dorothy Miller (A ‘59), The Museum Of Modern Art
Governors’ Award for Outstanding Service to Artists

David Hockney (F ‘82)
Medal for Graphics

Sam Francis
Medal for Painting

Reuben Nakian
Medal for Sculpture

John W. Payson
Chair
The Plaza, New York City

1982

Honoring:

Seymour H. Knox
Gertrude Vanderbilt Whitney Award for Outstanding Patronage of the Arts

Isabel Bishop (F ‘56, ‘57, ‘59, ‘63, ‘66), American Academy Of Arts And Letters
Governors’ Award for Outstanding Service to Artists

Miriam Schapiro
Medal for Collage

Robert Rauschenberg,
Medal for Painting

George Segal (F ‘77)
Medal for Sculpture

James R. Houghton
Chair
The Plaza, New York City

1981

Honoring:

Donald M. Kendall
Gertrude Vanderbilt Whitney Award for Outstanding Patronage of the Arts

Lloyd Goodrich, Whitney Museum & American Federation Of Arts
Governors’ Award for Outstanding Service to Artists

Robert Motherwell (F ‘52)
Medal for Graphics

Frank Stella (F ‘82)
Medal for Painting

Ellsworth Kelly (A ‘47)
Medal for Sculpture

Charles A. Dana, Jr.
Chair
The Plaza, New York City

1980

Honoring:

Joseph F. Cullman III
Gertrude Vanderbilt Whitney Award for Outstanding Patronage of the Arts

Nancy Graves (A ‘63, F ‘79)
Medal for Drawing & Graphics

Alex Katz (A ‘49, ‘50, F ‘60, ‘63, ‘64, ‘67, ‘71, ‘75, ‘95)
Medal for Painting

Robert Irwin
Medal for Sculpture

Vito Acconci (F ‘98, ‘11)
Medal for Video & Performance

John W. Kluge
Chair
The Plaza, New York City

1979

Honoring:

Joseph H. Hirshhorn
Gertrude Vanderbilt Whitney Award for Outstanding Patronage of the Arts

Andy Warhol
Medal for Graphics

Richard Diebenkorn
Medal for Painting

Christo
Medal for Process & Environment

Carl Andre
Medal for Sculpture

Andrew Heiskell
Chair
The Plaza, New York City

1978

Honoring:

Robert O. Anderson
Gertrude Vanderbilt Whitney Award for Outstanding Patronage of the Arts

Cy Twombly
Medal For Drawing

Agnes Martin (F ‘87)
Medal For Painting

Robert Morris (F ‘70)
Medal for Process & Environment

David Von Schlegell
Medal for Sculpture

Donald M. Kendall
Chair
The Plaza, New York City

1977

Honoring:

Nathan Cummings
Gertrude Vanderbilt Whitney Award for Outstanding Patronage of the Arts

Jasper Johns
Medal for Graphics

Roy Lichtenstein (F ‘68)
Medal for Painting

Isamu Noguchi
Medal for Sculpture

Leonard H. Goldenson
Chair
The Plaza, New York City

1976

Honoring:

William S. Paley
Gertrude Vanderbilt Whitney Award for Outstanding Patronage of the Arts

Saul Steinberg
Medal for Drawing

Sol Lewitt
Medal for Graphics

Willem de Kooning
Medal for Painting

Dan Flavin
Medal for Sculpture

The Hon. Henry H. Fowler
Chair
The Plaza, New York City

1975

Honoring:

The Hon. C. Douglas Dillon
Gertrude Vanderbilt Whitney Award for Outstanding Patronage of the Arts

Jim Dine
Medal for Graphics

Allan Kaprow
Medal for Non-Categorical Art

Clyfford Still
Medal for Painting

Richard Serra (F ‘85)
Medal for Sculpture

Robert O. Anderson
Chair
The Plaza, New York City

1974

Honoring:

Alfred H. Barr Jr.
Gertrude Vanderbilt Whitney Award for Outstanding Patronage of the Arts

Michael Heizer
Medal for Conceptual Art

Edward Ruscha
Medal for Graphics

Jack Tworkov (F ‘60)
Medal For Painting

Mark Di Suvero (F ‘83)
Medal for Sculpture

His Holiness Pope Paul VI
Special Presentation Award

Arthur Amory Houghton, Jr.
Chair
The Plaza, New York City

1973

Honoring:

The Right Hon. Lord Clark
Gertrude Vanderbilt Whitney Award for Outstanding Patronage of the Arts

Leonard Baskin
Medal for Graphics

Georgia O‘Keeffe
Medal for Painting

George Rickey (F ‘74)
Medal for Sculpture

The Hon. August Heckscher
Chair
The Plaza, New York City

1972

Honoring:

Paul Mellon
Gertrude Vanderbilt Whitney Award for Outstanding Patronage of the Arts

Robert Rauschenberg
Medal for Graphics

Jasper Johns
Medal for Painting

Claes Oldenburg
Medal for Sculpture

The Hon. Douglas Dillon
Chair
The Plaza, New York City

1971

Honoring:

Arthur A. Houghton
Gertrude Vanderbilt Whitney Award for Outstanding Patronage of the Arts

Josef Albers
Medal for Graphics

Mark Tobey
Medal for Painting

Louise Nevelson (F ‘72, ‘78, ‘82)
Medal for Sculpture

Mrs. Lawrence A. Fleischman
Chair
The Plaza, New York City

Images courtesy of: BFA, Patrick McMullan, Christian Grattan, Christiana Rifaat