The following awards were announced at the 2011 Americans for the Arts Annual Convention in San Diego, California:

• 2011 Alene Valkanas State Arts Advocacy Award: William P. Blair, legislative counsel for Ohio Citizens for the Arts
• 2011 American Express Emerging Leader Award: Angela Harris, founder and executive director of Dance Canvas, Inc., an Atlanta-based nonprofit that presents professional dance performances showcasing emerging choreographers
• 2011 Arts Education Award: Arts for All, L.A. County's nationally recognized collaboration to restore all arts disciplines into the core curriculum for all K-12 public school students
• 2011 Michael Newton Award: Susan Schadt, president & CEO of ArtsMemphis
• 2011 Selina Roberts Ottum Award: Libby Maynard, co-founder and executive director of The Ink People Center for the Arts in Eureka, CA