Presented to an individual or organization for the quality, innovation and vision of program design, audience building and community involvement efforts. The award is named to honor William M. Dawson for the service he provided to the field of arts administration during his 14 years as Director of the Association of Performing Arts Presenters, then the Association of College, university and Community Arts Administrators (ACUCAA).
Honors an emergent individual under the age of 40 or group less than 15 years in existence, who demonstrates trail-blazing innovation and vision in the presenting, creative producing, booking and touring field. The award recognizes a professional or group taking an inventive, ground-breaking and revolutionary approach in their work, addressing a field-wide challenge with promising impact, or championing an underrepresented yet critical perspective to sustain the presenting, booking and touring industry.
