2023 Library foundation awards
About the Awards
Since 2000, we have presented awards to authors, writers, artists, and civic leaders – individuals whose unparalleled contributions to art, literature, and our community have connected and inspired us.
Our Awards include:
- The Carl Sandburg Literary Award honors an acclaimed author whose work has enhanced the public’s awareness of the written word.
- The 21st Century Award honors a rising storytelling talent with ties to Chicago.
- The Arts Award celebrates the power and impact of Chicago’s artistic community.
- The Civic Award recognizes an individual whose leadership has made a significant impact on the Chicago community.
Previous Award Honorees
2022
- Tony Kushner
Carl Sandburg Literary Award - Rick Bayless
Arts Award - Shermann “Dilla” Thomas
21st Century Award
2021
- Amy Tan
Carl Sandburg Literary Award - Theaster Gates
Arts Award - J. Nicole Brooks
21st Century Award
2020
- Isabel Wilkerson
Carl Sandburg Literary Award - Donna LaPietra
Civic Award - Nate Marshall
21st Century Award
2019
- George R.R. Martin
Carl Sandburg Literary Award - Dr. Eve L. Ewing
21st Century Award
2018
- Judy Blume
Carl Sandburg Literary Award - Neil deGrasse Tyson
Carl Sandburg Literary Award - Erika Sanchez
21st Century Award
2017
- Margaret Atwood
Carl Sandburg Literary Award - Dave Eggers
Carl Sandburg Literary Award - Natalie Y. Moore
21st Century Award
2016
- Alice Walker
Carl Sandburg Literary Award - Scott Turrow
Carl Sandburg Literary Award - Erik Larson
Carl Sandburg Literary Award - Amina Gautier
21st Century Award
2015
- Stephen Sondheim
Carl Sandburg Literary Award - Eric Charles May
21st Century Award
2014
- Larry McMurtry
Carl Sandbug Literary Award - Doris Kearns Goodwin
Carl Sandburg Literary Award - Mavis Staples
Arts Award - Veronica Roth
21st Century Award
2013
- Isabel Allende
Carl Sandburg Literary Award - Michael Lewis
Carl Sandburg Literary Award - Christine Sneed
21st Century Award
2012
- Don LeLillo
Carl Sandburg Literary Award - Walter Isaacson
Carl Sandburg Literary Award - Nami Mun
21st Century Award
2011
- Roger Ebert
Carl Sandburg Literary Award - Rebecca Skloot
21st Century Award
2010
- Toni Morrison
Carl Sandburg Literary Award - Eula Bliss
21st Century Award
2009
- Salman Rushdie
Carl Sandburg Literary Award - Patrick Somerville
21st Century Award
2008
- Tom Wolfe
Carl Sandburg Literary Award - Theresa Schwegel
21st Century Award
2007
- Nikki Giovanni
Carl Sandburg Literary Award - Sara Gruen
21st Century Award
2006
- David Mamet
Carl Sandburg Literary Award - Blue Balliett
21st Century Award
2005
- John Updike
Carl Sandburg Literary Award - Tracy Letts
21st Century Award
2004
- Henry Louis Gates, Jr.
Carl Sandburg Literary Award - Audrey Niffenegger
21st Century Award
2003
- Robert A. Caro
Carl Sandburg Literary Award - Elizabeth Crane
21st Century Award
2002
- Joyce Carol Oates
Carl Sandburg Literary Award - Richard Cohen
21st Century Award
2001
- Kurt Vonnegut
Carl Sandburg Literary Award - Jeffrey Renard Allen
21st Century Award
2000
- David McCullough
Carl Sandburg Literary Award - Aleksander Hemon
21st Century Award
Watch our Awards archives
Relive the conversations with Margaret Atwood, Judy Blume, George R.R. Martin, Amy Tan, Neil deGrasse Tyson, and more!