Skip to content

Peter Capell Award

The Peter Capell Award for Midwestern Creativity & Entrepreneurship celebrates Midwesterners whose work demonstrates entrepreneurial thinking and business acumen.

Two people in yellow outfits performing outside in front of children and adults. They leap joyously through the air with smiles on their faces.
Photo Credit: Public Space One

About the Peter Capell Award for Midwestern Creativity & Entrepreneurship

Arts Midwest programs are currently under review for compliance with state and federal laws.

In honor of Peter Capell’s contributions to Arts Midwest and Midwestern creativity, the Peter Capell Award for Midwestern Creativity & Entrepreneurship was established in 2022 as a time-limited award running for nine years. Over the course of its operation, the award will recognize an individual located in each of Arts Midwest’s nine member states. The award will be open to nominees from one state each year.

Peter Capell served on the Arts Midwest Board of Directors for 23 years and served as Board Chair from 2012 until 2021. During his time as Chair, he led Arts Midwest through the creation and launch of new national programs like Creating Connection; the development of Arts Midwest’s first major giving campaign; and a founder leadership transition. Before retiring, Peter held a number of national and global leadership positions at General Mills in Minneapolis from 1985 to 2012. His work and travels fueled his strong business acumen and entrepreneurial mindset, both of which he brought to his role at Arts Midwest. He is a passionate advocate for creativity and entrepreneurialism, a markedly generous philanthropist, and is deeply committed to strengthening and celebrating the Midwest creative sector.

The 2024 award was open to nominees in Iowa.  They will receive a $2,500 unrestricted cash award from Arts Midwest along with a matching $2,500 grant award from the Iowa Arts Council. 

Applications for the 2024 are now closed. The next award, honoring a leader from Minnesota, will open in summer 2025.

How to Apply

The $5,000* Peter Capell Award for Midwestern Creativity & Entrepreneurship celebrates Midwesterners whose work demonstrates entrepreneurial thinking and business acumen in the creative sector. Applications are due by September 16, 2024 for candidates from Iowa. 

*The award recipient will receive a $2,500 unrestricted cash award from Arts Midwest. The award recipient will also receive a matching $2,500 grant award from the Iowa Arts Council. 

Apply

Applications will be accepted in our grants portal system, SmartSimple.

Visit SmartSimple

Two people painting a mural onto a blue wall.

Peter Capell Award Stories and Updates

Questions about the Peter Capell Award?

If you have questions about the Peter Capell Award for Midwestern Creativity & Entrepreneurship, please reach out.

Email us