The submission portal for nominations will open in September 2026.
The Arts Council of the African Studies Association (ACASA) confers a Leadership Award upon two individuals whose accomplishments best exemplify excellence in the study of African and/or African Diasporic arts and its dissemination. The Award is presented every three years at the Triennial Symposium of African Art Awards Ceremony, and consists of an appropriate memento, citation, and lifetime membership in ACASA.
Criteria for the Award are the distinction of innovative contributions to the advancement of the field of African and African Diasporic expressive arts, as measured by a lifetime of accomplishments in areas such as teaching, mentoring, research, curating, publishing, artistic production, management, and service. In addition, the individual should have demonstrated notable generosity of spirit and action as well as collegiality. Candidates within and outside of academic and museum communities are considered and may live anywhere.
Submission Materials and Process
Please submit the following:
- Name and affiliation of nominator
- Name and full CV of nominee
- Narrative justification of nomination based on the nominator’s assessment of key contributions and highlights of a candidate’s career.
- This may include a selection of publications (and reviews), teaching or other awards, collaborations with various individuals and communities (local and global) as part of research or other projects, major grants received, organizing or participating in exhibitions presented in museums and galleries, and participation in dialogues, symposia, conferences or other forums dealing with issues, challenges, or new perspectives in the field. The review committee welcomes specific commentary on why a candidate is particularly deserving of this award at this moment in time.
- The narrative should be 3 pages (maximum) and can include lists and/or discursive text.
Please reach out to Caroline Bastian, bastian@acasaonline.org, with any questions or concerns.
2024 ACASA Leadership Award Recipients
Robin Poynor
Anitra Nettleton