The most prestigious award conferred, the Lifetime Achievement Award is given for exemplary leadership, scholarship and/or artistry, and philanthropy or service to dance education. The honoree will have contributed to the field of dance education at the national and / or international levels for a period of at least fifteen (15) years.

Lifetime Achievement - Living Artist / Educator

Lifetime Achievement - Posthumous

There are four categories of Leadership Awards in the following areas: Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, Higher Education, PK-12, and Dance Studios. These awards are given to an individual who has demonstrated excellence in creating ideas for programs, curriculums, and/or projects that have had a significant impact on their specific field of dance education and who has demonstrated leadership on a national level. Additionally, the recipient of this award should inspire and cultivate vision and leadership in others.

Outstanding Leadership Award in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

Outstanding Leadership Award in Higher Education

Outstanding Leadership Award in PK-12

Outstanding Leadership Award in Dance Studios

This award acknowledges a stellar dance educator. The award is granted on a yearly rotating basis to a dance educator from a different teaching environment each year. Additionally, the recipient of this award should inspire and motivate their students and have a significant impact in their school community. 

Outstanding Dance Educator - Dance Studios - Established (6+ years of experience)

Outstanding Dance Educator - Dance Studios - Emerging (less than 6 years of experience)

This award recognizes an individual who has made a unique contribution to the field of dance education through creative and/or scholarly research. The recipient of this award should cultivate the importance of scholarly and creative research throughout the field of dance education.

Outstanding Dance Education Researcher

This is a new category in 2024! This award recognizes an exceptional dance organization that is either non-profit or private sector that has been established for at least five years. This organization has made a unique and impactful contribution to the community, at a local, national and/or international level through the field of dance education through creative and/or scholarly efforts. This organization has made a social impact and has a commitment and awareness to inclusion, equity and diversity.