Since 2006, Americans for the Arts annually awards the American Express Emerging Leaders Award to an exceptional young professional of merit and accomplishment. The recipient must demonstrate innovative thinking, a commitment to the advancement of the arts, exemplary leadership qualities, and must have made a significant impact on his or her local, state, or national community through professional work. Nominees must be either 35 years or younger or been in the field five years or less.

The Emerging Leader Network programs and services are targeted toward young professionals who are in the beginning stages of their careers or people who switched into the field, but Americans for the Arts welcomes people from every age range and demographic group. The only requirement is that participants need to have the desire to enhance their leadership capacity and the drive to develop innovative, effective, and responsible management practices.

Nominations Closed at 5:00 p.m. EDT on March 21, 2012

Rules and Regulations
 

 The 2012 Emerging Leaders Award is generously sponsored by American Express.