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

About the Award
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.

In honor of Peter’s contributions to Arts Midwest and Midwestern creativity, the Peter Capell Award for Midwestern Creativity & Entrepreneurship has been established as a time-limited award, running for nine years beginning in 2022. The award recognizes Midwesterners working in the creative sector who demonstrate entrepreneurial thinking and business acumen. 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, beginning with Illinois in 2022.
Nominations for the 2023 award will open on August 3 and close on September 15.
More information for nominations will be available in spring 2023. Arts Midwest is working with the Wisconsin Arts Board for this year’s award.
2022 Recipient: Tyrone Phillips
Tyrone Phillips, founding artistic director at Definition Theatre in Chicago, Illinois, won the inaugural Peter Capell Award for Midwestern Creativity & Entrepreneurship.

Questions about the Peter Capell Award?
If you have questions about the Peter Capell Award for Midwestern Creativity & Entrepreneurship, please reach out.
Email Michael Johnson