Celebrating Arts Leadership & Community Impact
The County and City of Santa Barbara recognize businesses, individuals, and organizations whose leadership, philanthropy, and commitment advance arts and culture in our communities. Explore current honorees and past award recipients below.
City of Santa Barbara
Business in Art Award
Each spring, the City of Santa Barbara’s Arts Advisory Committee invites the community to nominate local businesses that help keep the city’s arts and culture thriving. The award recognizes businesses that support artists and arts organizations through collaborations, innovative programs, partnerships, and philanthropy.
Congratulations to the 2026 Honoree:
ArtLabbé
The City of Santa Barbara has named ArtLabbé the recipient of the 2026 Business in Art Award, recognizing the nonprofit organization’s work supporting artists with intellectual and developmental disabilities and expanding opportunities to participate in Santa Barbara’s cultural life. ArtLabbé serves more than 150 individuals locally through arts education, vocational programs, and other creative opportunities. The award will be publicly presented on Sunday, Sept. 27, as part of the Santa Barbara Beautiful Award Ceremony.
Past Business in Art Honorees
2025: Grace Fisher Foundation and Santa Barbara Arts Collaborative
2020: Ablitt’s Fine Cleaners & Tailors, Doug Lochner – Art That Works, EOS Lounge, Voice Magazine
2019: Indigo Interiors
2018: Paseo Nuevo Mall
2017: Montecito Bank & Trust
2016: Santa Barbara Center for Art, Science and Technology – Alan Macy
2015: Hotel Indigo
2014: Pascucci Restaurant – Laura Knight – Sue Van Horsen
2013: MichaelKate Interiors & Art Gallery and Brad Nack – Philip Koplin
2012: lynda.com – Myopia
2011: Gary Atkins Sound Systems – Dan Levin
2010: Art Essentials – Penny Mast McCall
2009: The Santa Barbara Independent – Cass Ensberg
2008: Art From Scrap – Dug Uyesaka
2007: Santa Barbara Downtown Organization First Thursdays – Tom Stanley
2006: Barry Berkus and Colin Gray
2005: CASA Magazine
County of Santa Barbara
Leadership in the Arts Award
The Leadership in the Arts Award was established in 2006 by the Santa Barbara County Arts Commission as an annual award “to honor and recognize individuals or organizations that have made a significant impact on the arts and culture of our region through innovative thinking and exemplary commitment to promoting, sustaining, and advancing our quality of life through the arts.”
Each year, Arts Commissioners nominate both individuals and organizations for this honor, and the full Commission votes to select one awardee in each category. Honorees are recognized with a formal resolution presented by the Board of Supervisors every October, in celebration of National Arts and Humanities Month.
This annual tradition highlights the people and organizations whose leadership, vision, and dedication have strengthened the cultural life of Santa Barbara County.
Congratulations to the 2025 Honorees:
Stefanie Hassett
Individual Leadership In Art Awardee
Stefanie Hassett has built a lasting legacy of leadership, service, and resilience by co-founding the Ian M. Hassett Foundation, serving on the board of the Santa Maria Arts Council, and playing a key role in establishing the City of Santa Maria’s first Public Art Master Plan.
Ian M. Hassett Foundation
Business/Organization Honoree
The Ian M. Hassett Foundation has become an integral catalyst for the arts in northern Santa Barbara County by supporting emerging artists through scholarships, grants, and awards, providing art supplies to artists who could not otherwise afford them, creating mentorship opportunities for young people, and fostering artistic expression and confidence among adults with disabilities.
Past Leadership in the Arts Honorees
2025: Individual Honoree: Stefanie Hassett
2025: Organization/Business Honoree: Ian M. Hassett Foundation
2024: Individual Honoree: Celesta Billeci
2024: Organization/Business Honoree: City of Santa Maria
2023: Individual Honoree: Josef Woodard
2023: Organization/Business Honoree: Montecito Bank and Trust
2022: Solvang Theatrefest
2021: City of Buellton’s Arts and Culture Committee
2020: Patricia Gregory and The Baker Foundation
2019: Catherine and Brooks Firestone
2017/18: The Arts Fund
2016: Vicki Anderson, Lompoc Mural Society
2015: Kathy Koury and Children’s Creative Project
2014: The Santa Barbara Bowl Foundation
2013: Connie Rohde-Stanchfield
2012: Rod Lathim, Lobero Theatre
2011: Zaveeni Khan-Marcus
2010: Kerry Methner and Marke Whitehurst, CASA Magazine
2009: Bill Cirone and Tina Fanucci
2008: Joe and Margie Talugon
2007: Nat Fast, Band Camp
2006: Susan Rose, Former 2nd District Supervisor