Artists recognized for using their platforms to strengthen communities, expand civic engagement, and champion culture
LONG BEACH, CA — Americans for the Arts and The United States Conference of Mayors (USCM) announced this weekend that Snoop Dogg, Ed Ruscha, Danny Trejo, and Chuck D would receive the 2026 Citizen Artist Award during the 94th Annual Meeting of The United States Conference of Mayors in Long Beach, California. The awards honor an individual or group who has used their position to consistently advocate for and support the arts and culture sector and arts education in the United States.
“Snoop Dogg, Ed Ruscha, Danny Trejo, and Chuck D embody what it means to be true citizen artists,” said Erin Harkey, CEO of Americans for the Arts. “In partnership with the U.S. Conference of Mayors, we are proud to honor these four icons with the Citizen Artist Award for using their platforms to uplift and strengthen communities across the country. Through music, visual art, film, and cultural activism, they demonstrate that creative expression is not just entertainment — it is a powerful force for civic engagement, connection, and social change.”
“Cities are the cultural capitals of our nation, and the arts define the civic identities of our cities,” said David Holt, President of The United States Conference of Mayors and Mayor of Oklahoma City. “That is why this partnership between the U.S. Conference of Mayors and Americans for the Arts has endured for the last three decades. And this year’s honorees are most fitting. Snoop Dogg, Ed Ruscha, Danny Trejo, and Chuck D have each shaped American culture in distinct ways while also using their influence to invest in communities, expand opportunity, and inspire civic dialogue. We are proud to recognize their extraordinary contributions through the 2026 Citizen Artist Awards.”
The awards were presented on Saturday, June 6, by Harkey and Mayor Holt. Each awardee was recognized over the weekend for their advocacy for the arts:
- Snoop Dogg was recognized for his philanthropy, community leadership, and support of the Olympic movement, as well as his enduring impact on music and culture.
- Ed Ruscha, legendary visual artist, was honored for his groundbreaking artistic contributions and decades of public art projects that have shaped the American cultural landscape.
- Danny Trejo was recognized for his accomplishments in film and television as well as his philanthropy, his longstanding impact within the addiction recovery community, his commitment to Greater Los Angeles, and his support of the Latino community.
- Chuck D was honored for his influential work as an artist, activist, and cultural leader whose music has advanced civic dialogue and social awareness for generations.
The announcement comes at a pivotal moment for the arts and culture sector. As communities across the country navigate economic uncertainty, shifting federal priorities, and growing concerns around social connection and civic engagement, artists and cultural leaders continue to play a critical role in strengthening communities and bringing people together. The arts and cultural sector contributes more than $1.2 trillion annually to the U.S. economy and supports 5.4 million jobs nationwide, underscoring the sector’s importance not only as a cultural force, but as a key economic driver in cities and towns across America.
The announcement follows the successful conclusion of AFTACON 2026, Americans for the Arts’ national convention, which brought together artists, advocates, civic leaders, and cultural organizations from across the country in Albuquerque to celebrate the transformative impact of the arts on communities and local economies.
For more information about the Citizen Artist Award and Americans for the Arts’ advocacy work, visit AmericansForTheArts.org.
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About Americans for the Arts
Americans for the Arts is the nation’s leading nonprofit organization for advancing the arts and arts education. Americans for the Arts builds recognition and support for the extraordinary and dynamic value of the arts and culture and works to ensure that every American has access to the transformative power of the arts.
About The United States Conference of Mayors
The United States Conference of Mayors is the official non-partisan organization of cities with populations of 30,000 or more. Each city is represented in the Conference by its chief elected official, the mayor.