for Outstanding Contributions to Arts and Culture in Minnesota
The annual award is named for Dr. Alexander P. Anderson, who invented the process for creating Quaker Puffed Rice and Puffed Wheat cereals. An educator, botanist, writer and naturalist, Anderson built the Tower View Estate. Today this site of historic site of innovation is stewarded by the Anderson Center as a living laboratory for ideas and creativity.
Do you know someone who has made significant contributions to arts and ideas in our state? Nominate them to be the 2026 A.P. Anderson Awardee! Nominations will close on December 1, 2025.
The Award Ceremony and Gala is held in June.
The A.P. Anderson Gala is an annual signature event for the Anderson Center at Tower View. Taking place outdoors on the Anderson Center’s Rooftop Deck, the Gala combines the A.P. Anderson Award ceremony program with a fundraising benefit for the venerable non-profit arts institution featuring a silent auction, live music, and a gourmet plated dinner.
We invite you to join us for this creative black tie event. Valet parking is included in your ticket purchase.
2025 A.P. Anderson Awardee
Gary Hines
The Anderson Center at Tower View in Red Wing, Minnesota, honored Gary Hines, producer/director of the musical group Sounds of Blackness, with the 2025 A.P. Anderson Award for significant contributions to the cultural and artistic life of Minnesota on Thursday, June 5, 2025.
“Gary Hines exemplifies outstanding arts leadership in Minnesota through his lifelong dedication to music, cultural preservation, and community engagement. As the founder and musical director of Sounds of Blackness, a three-time Grammy-winning ensemble, Hines has profoundly shaped Minnesota's music landscape, championing genres that celebrate the African American experience,” says Dobby Gibson, who nominated Hines for the award.
“In addition to leading Sounds of Blackness to the highest level of musical achievement, Hines has supported many, many musicians in our state and beyond through collaborations, speaking and teaching engagements, mentorships, and his positive example,” says Stephanie Rogers, Executive and Artistic Director of the Anderson Center. She continues, “Sounds of Blackness has also toured extensively in Greater Minnesota, reaching every corner of our state.”
Hines’ musical expertise spans genre and includes Pop, Hip-Hop, Rhythm & Blues, Jazz, Latin, Rock, Blues, Reggae, Ragtime, Classical and Gospel. He has worked with the biggest names in music, including Quincy Jones, Prince, Usher, Stevie Wonder, Michael Jackson, Aretha Franklin, Elton John, Patti LaBelle, Dolly Parton, and Danny Glover. Gary has performed in every major city in the U.S. and toured Africa, Europe, South America, and the Carribean with Sounds of Blackness.
Hines has also conducted countless Music Workshops, Seminars, Lecture-Demonstrations and Master Classes about the history, impact and evolution of African-American music and culture. His honors and awards include three Grammys, the International Time For Peace Award, Minnesota Music Academy Awards, Minnesota Music Hall of Fame Award, Distinguished Citizen Award, Golden Scroll For The Promise of Greatness Award and an Honorary Doctor of Humane Letters from his Alma Mater Macalester College, St. Paul. The self-titled Sounds of Blackness album won a 2012 NAACP Image Award.
AP Anderson Award 2018
Judy Onofrio
Award Recipients
2025 Gary Hines
2024 Daniel Bergin
2023 Nirmala Rajasekar
2022 Kao Kalia Yang
2019 Mary Ann Grossmann
2018 Judy Onofrio
2017 Lou Bellamy
2016 Cynthia Gehrig
2015 Butch Thompson
2014 Kate DiCamillo
2013 Louise Erdrich
2012 Larry Yazzie
2011 Lawrence Redmond and
Sheila Smith
2010 Emilie Buchwald
2009 Kevin Kling
2008 Jim Brandenburg
2007 Warren MacKenzie
2006 Lise Houlton
2005 Phillip Brunelle
2004 Betsy Bowen
2003 Patricia Hampl
2002 Siah Armajani
2001 Libby Larsen
2000 Joe Dowling
1999 Robert Bly and
William Duffy
Photos by Chap Achen
