Grawemeyer

The Grawemeyer Award is an annual series of prizes established in 1986 by the estate of Louisville businessman and philanthropist Charles F. Kettering’s widow, Mary Grawemeyer Kettering. The awards recognize outstanding achievements in music composition, poetry, religious interpretation, and ideas improving world order. Administered by the University of Louisville, the awards are among the most prestigious in their respective fields, offering substantial cash prizes and promoting excellence in creative and scholarly work.

The **Music Composition Award** honors a single work of orchestral, choral, or instrumental music that demonstrates exceptional artistic merit. Previous winners include composers such as John Adams, Jennifer Higdon, and Osvaldo Golijov. The **Poetry Award** celebrates a collection of original poems that exhibit originality, technical skill, and emotional depth. Notable laureates include Tracy K. Smith, Sharon Olds, and Yusef Komunyakaa.

The **Religious Interpretation Award** recognizes a book-length work that offers fresh, insightful, and accessible interpretations of religious texts or traditions. Winners often include theologians, scholars, and writers who bridge academic rigor with spiritual exploration. The **Ideas Improving World Order Award** supports original ideas that address global challenges, such as climate change, social justice, or conflict resolution. Past honorees have included thinkers like Martha Nussbaum and Amartya Sen.

Each award carries a cash prize of $200,000, making it one of the largest individual awards in the arts and humanities. The Grawemeyer Awards also feature public performances, lectures, and symposia, fostering dialogue among artists, scholars, and the broader community. The program reflects the Kettering family’s commitment to advancing culture, knowledge, and constructive global engagement.