The Canvas of Leadership

The Aspen Institute’s Leadership Seminars department is proud to announce the 2025 Cover Art Contest, “The Canvas of Leadership.” We invite individuals aged 18 and older, residing in the U.S., to creatively explore and visually represent the powerful, human-centered themes that define our seminars.
This contest celebrates the power of visual art to provoke thought, deepen inquiry, and ground us in shared humanity. Whether through painting, photography, mixed media, or graphic design, this cover art contest welcomes works that address the following themes:
- Leading forward
- Humanistic leadership
- Fortify and undeceive ourselves
- Intentional dialogue
In addition to a cash prize, the winning artwork may be featured on the cover of the Aspen Executive Seminar book–allowing seminar participants to further engage with the ideas that have shaped our world and explore what we owe ourselves, our organizations, and our communities as leaders.