Aspen is a place for leaders to lift their sights above the possessions which possess them. To confront their own nature as human beings, to regain control over their own humanity by becoming more self-aware, more self-correcting, and hence more self-fulfilling.
Walter P. Paepcke, Aspen Institute Co-Founder
Aspen Institute
Awards
The Aspen Institute bestows numerous awards to honor individuals and organizations making exceptional contributions to the public good.
Celebrating Impact
Our Annual Awards
We recognize and celebrate individuals and organizations making exceptional contributions to society, leadership, and the public good.
Aspen Prize for Community College Excellence
The Aspen Prize for Community College Excellence is the nation’s signature recognition for America’s community colleges, recognizing community colleges that achieve high and improving levels of student success.
The Aspen Words Literary Prize is an annual award for an influential work of fiction that illuminates a vital contemporary issue and demonstrates the transformative power of literature on thought and culture.
The Henry Crown Leadership Award was created to honor an outstanding leader whose achievements reflect the high standards of honor, integrity, industry, and philanthropy that characterized the life and career of Henry Crown.
Awarded in partnership with the John P. & Anne Welsh McNulty Foundation, the John P. McNulty Prize honors breakthrough leaders for their moral courage, bold vision, and deep, lasting impact.
These awards recognize exceptional individuals whose impact merits special recognition beyond our annual awards.
Citizen Leadership Award
This Citizen Leadership Award recognizes individuals whose exemplary leadership and dedication to the betterment of society exemplifies the values that are foundational to the mission of the Aspen Institute.
Public Service Award
The Public Service award is bestowed upon an individual who exemplifies the fundamental values of democracy and the timeless ideals of tolerance, justice, and respect for open-minded dialogue.
Corporate Leadership Award
The Corporate Leadership Award is presented to an individual who represents the highest standards of corporate citizenship and a private sector commitment to the public good.
Global Leadership Award
The Global Leadership Award is bestowed upon a leader who boldly promotes global peace, intercultural understanding, and widespread human progress.
Arts Leadership Award
The Arts Leadership Award honors a seminal figure in American arts and culture who has expanded the boundaries of artistic expression to inspire cross-cultural dialogue and reflection.
