2024 ISPA Award Recipients Announced

Download this media release

On behalf of the Board of Directors, the International Society for the Performing Arts (ISPA) announces the recipients of the 2024 ISPA Awards. The first ISPA Award was presented in 1975 to Beverly Sills. Since then, ISPA has continued to recognize outstanding individuals and organizations for their contribution to the arts and their communities. The 2024 award recipients are as follows:

Distinguished Artist Award Recipient

Presented to artists who have made an outstanding contribution of talent, artistry, dedication, and service to the world of the performing arts.

Tania León (Cuban-American Composer)

 “Ms. León describes her Pulitzer Prize winning composition, “Stride”, as something that is pushing forward. Pushing forward also describes Tania. A person and an artist who has been celebrated globally, she continues to leave a lasting legacy in the world of music and beyond.”

International Citation of Merit Recipient

Presented for unique lifetime achievement which has enriched the international performing arts. This Award is not for performance but rather for distinguished service working within the profession

Cathie Boyd (Artistic Director & Founder of Cryptic & Curator for Sonica)

"Cathie's career exemplifies a commitment to global exchange following 30 years of touring her unique visual musicals in addition to staging work for many other international institutions."

Patrick Hayes Award Recipient

Inspired by the legacy of Patrick Hayes, the founding President of the International Society of the Performing Arts Foundation, this Award recognizes an ISPA member in any stage of their career who has demonstrated transformative leadership in the performing arts.

Mary Lou Aleskie (Director, Hopkins Center for the Arts at Dartmouth College)

"Mary Lou Aleskie is a visionary leader. Her leadership role at organizations across the United States is only matched by her commitment to mentoring young professionals in the performing arts."

Angel Award Recipient

Constantin Chiriac (President, Sibiu International Theatre Festival)

 “I believe that this Festival (Sibiu), under the leadership of Constantin Chiriac, is deserving of the award for its visionary courage, ambition, and for the social impact it makes through its work.”

Emerging Leader Award Recipient

The Emerging Leaders Award celebrates creative and evolving practice in any aspect of the performing arts including presenting, touring, artist management, and creative producing. Five (5) awards will be presented in this category. ISPA members as well as employees of ISPA members are eligible to be nominated.

Denisse Flores Somarriba (Director of Unity of Innovation and Connection, Cultura UDG)

“Denisse Flores will be an emerging arts leader throughout her career, both by her nature of constant exploration and as a tireless promoter of Latin American culture. Her work exhibits continued curiosity and desire to explore and expand international partnerships.”

Celebrating Our Planet Award Recipient

The Celebrating Our Planet Award recognizes excellence and/or innovation with respect to creating, presenting, and or touring the performing arts in a climate friendly, sustainable manner. This new award recognizes the initiative(s) of an ISPA member as opposed to the community as a whole.

Aneeshwar Kunchala

“Despite his young age, Aneeshwar is a determined advocate on his mission to combat environmental degradation. Through his journey, he continues to inspire young (and old) minds to appreciate nature and contribute to its preservation through the arts.”

“While we received many worthy nominations, the Board was unanimous in their endorsement on the 2024 awardees. The recipients reflect the richness of diversity that the ISPA membership represents” said ISPA Chief Executive Officer David Baile.

The awards will be presented at a ceremony to be held during the New York 2024 ISPA Congress: Bridging the Gap, on Thursday, January 11, 2024. The ceremony will be hosted by  Elizabeth Hayes, daughter of the International Society for the Arts Foundation founder Patrick Hayes.