Skip Navigation

           Donate Now
Join Now      Sign In
 

Programs » Awards for Distinction

Distinguished Feminist Awards

CAA presents two annual Distinguished Feminist Awards: one presented to a visual artist or designer who, through outstanding efforts in their practice or advocacy, has advanced the cause of equality for women in the arts; one presented to a scholar who, through outstanding efforts in their scholarship, curatorial practice, or advocacy, has advanced the cause of equality for women in the arts. This award was established in 2007 to honor a person who, through their art, scholarship, or advocacy, has advanced the cause of equality for women in the arts. From 1996 to 2008, this award was presented as an Annual Recognition Award by CAA’s Committee on Women in the Arts (CWA) at a ceremony at the Annual Conference.

2024 WINNERS

Kay Walkingstick — Visual Artist
Hilary Robinson — Scholar

PAST WINNERS

Since 2009, the Distinguished Feminist Award has honored such influential leaders in the visual arts field as Griselda Pollock, Faith Ringgold, Lucy R. Lippard, and many more. For past winners of the CWA Annual Recognition Awards, scroll down further.

2023 Nalini Malani  — Visual Artist    
2023 Marsha Meskimmon — Scholar  
 
Jury: Delinda J. Collier, School of the Art Institute of Chicago, Chair; Midori Yoshimoto, New Jersey City University; and Yvonne Love, Penn State University.  

2022
In lieu of the Distinguished Feminist awards, CAA recognized leaders in the field of feminist art and art history in our 2022 programming highlighting the 50th Year Anniversary of feminism at CAA.
Jury: Robin Cass, Rochester Institute of Technology, Chair; Delinda J. Collier, School of the Art Institute of Chicago; and Midori Yoshimoto, New Jersey City University

2021 Simone Leigh — Visual Artist   
2021 Katy Deepwell— Scholar   

Jury: Delinda J. Collier, School of the Art Institute of Chicago; Arnold Joseph Kemp, School of the Art Institute of Chicago; Robin Cass, Rochester Institute of Technology; and Elizabeth Duffy, Roger Williams University.  

2020 Adrian Piper — Visual Artist  
2020 Maud K. Lavin — Scholar 
 
Jury: Janet Goldner, Independent Artist, co-chair; Arnold Joseph Kemp, School of the Art Institute of Chicago co-chair; Robin Cass, Rochester Institute of Technology; and Elizabeth Duffy, Roger Williams University.  

2019 Senga Nengudi — Visual Artist 
2019 Anna C. Chave — Scholar
 
Jury: Janet Goldner, independent artist, New York City, cochair; Arnold Joseph Kemp, School of the Art Institute of Chicago, cochair; Elizabeth Duffy, independent artist, New York City; Jeannene Przyblyski, California Institute of the Arts 

2018 Lynn Hershman Leeson — Visual Artist
2018 Lowery Stokes Sims — Scholar
Jury: Claudia Sbrissa, St. John’s University, chair; Janet Goldner, independent, New York City; Arnold Joseph Kemp, School of the Art Institute of Chicago; and Jeannene Przyblyski, California Institute of the Arts.

2017 Joan Marter
Jury: Hilary Robinson, Middlesex University, chair; Claudia Sbrissa, St. John’s University; and Kathleen Wentrack, Queensborough Community College, The City University of New York.

2016 Carrie Mae Weems
Jury: Hilary Robinson, Middlesex University, chair; Claudia Sbrissa, St. John’s University; and Kathleen Wentrack, Queensborough Community College, City University of New York

2015 Amelia Jones
Jury: Maria Elena Buszek, University of Colorado, Denver, chair; Hilary Robinson, Middlesex University; and Kathleen Wentrack, Queensborough Community College, City University of New York.

2014 Lorraine O’Grady
Jury: Anne Swartz, Savannah College of Art and Design, chair; Julia Bryan-Wilson, University of California, Berkeley; and Maria Elena Buszek, University of Colorado, Denver

Faith Ringgold

Faith Ringgold (photograph by Grace Matthews)

2013 Harmony Hammond and Martha Rosler
Jury: Anne Swartz, Savannah College of Art and Design, chair; Julia Bryan-Wilson, University of California, Berkeley; and Maria Elena Buszek, University of Colorado, Denver

2012 Lucy R. Lippard
Jury: Frima Fox Hofrichter, Pratt Institute, chair; Julia Bryan-Wilson, University of California, Berkeley; and Anne Swartz, Savannah College of Art and Design

2011 Faith Ringgold
Jury: Lowery Stokes Sims, Museum of Arts and Design, chair; Frima Fox Hofrichter, Pratt Institute; and Moira Roth, Mills College

2010 Griselda Pollock
Jury: Lowery Stokes Sims, Museum of Arts and Design, chair; Diane Burko, professor emerita, Philadelphia Community College; and Moira Roth, Mills College

2009 Guerrilla Girls
Jury: Lowery Stokes Sims, Museum of Arts and Design, chair; Diane Burko, Philadelphia Community College; and Moira Roth, Mills College

CWA Annual Recognition Awards

From 1996 to 2008, the Committee on Women in the Arts presented Annual Recognition Awards during a ceremony at the CAA Annual Conference. At its October 2007 meeting, the CAA Board of Directors voted to establish a twelfth Award for Distinction, the Distinguished Feminist Award, which honors a person who, through his or her art, scholarship, or advocacy, has advanced the cause of equality for women in the arts. The Distinguished Feminist Award replaces the committee’s Annual Recognition Award.

2008 Amalia Mesa-Bains and Celia Álvarez Muñoz

2007 Judith Brodsky and Ferris Olin

2006 Moira Roth and Trinh T. Minh-ha

2005 Beverly Buchanan and Lowery Stokes Sims

2004 Betye Saar and Nancy Spero

2003 Elizabeth Catlett and June Wayne

2002 Janet Cox-Rearick and Jaune Quick-To-See Smith

2001 Elsa Honig Fine

2000 Carolee Schneemann, Mary Garrard, and Norma Broude

1999 Samella Lewis

1998 Linda Nochlin

1997 Louise Bourgeouis

1996 Agnes Gund