To acknowledge excellence and commitment to King County history, we bestow the AKCHO Awards each year in the spring at our annual Awards Program. The Awards are given for projects that have been completed by December 31 of the previous year. The AKCHO Awards Program is a perfect way to acknowledge those special people, programs, or projects that have made our county’s history shine.
To submit a nomination, please use the nomination form.
The deadline to submit nominations for awards is Friday, February 11, 2022. Please send questions to Awards Committee, at info@akcho.org.
Available Awards
The Charles Payton Award for Heritage Advocacy is presented to an individual or an organization involved in advocacy or positive social change for the heritage field. Examples of advocacy could include projects that have led to the advancement of funding for heritage projects, protections of heritage resources, public awareness for heritage, or using heritage platforms to affect positive change in community.
The Exhibit Award is presented to an organization or individual for an innovative and impactful permanent, traveling, digital, outreach, or temporary display or exhibit of any size that uses historical collections as the educational source material.
The Heritage Education Award is presented to an individual or an organization that has promoted heritage in King County through an educational program. Examples of educational programs could include the innovative incorporation of history into a new or existing school curriculum or through a project that involves students or the general public with the heritage community.
The Long Term Project Award is presented to an organization for an innovative and impactful multi-year project. Examples of multi-year projects could include landmark restoration; ongoing or long-term projects such as a documentary, video, or oral history initiative; the development of a new organization; a large-scale exhibition, program, or initiative; or a similar resource-project designed to have a sustained, long-term impact on the heritage community of King County.
The Excellence in Public Programming Award is presented to an organization for an innovative and impactful one time or single series educational program. Public programs could include performances, lecture series, fundraising events, workshops, or similar single impact initiatives.
The Technology Award is presented to an organization for an outstanding project that pairs technology with local history and provides an inspiration or a model for the heritage community. Potential projects could include new, ongoing, or long term digital media projects (such as podcasts, blogs, websites, or videos accessible through the Internet); applications for mobile technology; exhibit interactive experiences (including non screen-based interactives); or other innovative applications of technology to promote history in King County.
The Virginia Marie Folkins Award is presented to the author(s) and/or sponsoring organization of an historical publication that shows outstanding original research.
The Willard Jue Memorial Award is presented to individuals in two possible categories – paid staff and volunteers. The Willard Jue Memorial Award winners are individuals who have made outstanding contributions, provided exceptional leadership, and demonstrated excellence in duration, quality, or spirit of service. AKCHO give two William Jue Memorial Awards, one for staff or paid contractors and one for volunteers.
The Future of Heritage Award is presented to a King County student or student-led project that has positively contributed to the heritage community with service or through a project that has benefited the community at large.