Media Advisory: City of San José Presents the 2025 Cornerstone of the Arts Awards

Post Date:10/21/2025 9:30 AM
Media Contact:
Carlos Velazquez, Public Information Manager, Office of Economic Development & Cultural Affairs
408-535-8168; carlos.velazquez@sanjoseca.gov

Advisory Detail
 What: The annual Cornerstone of the Arts Awards event will honor former Children’s Musical Theater Artistic Director Kevin Hauge as the recipient of this year’s Cornerstone of the Arts Award. The event will also honor the late cultural leader, Chris Esparza, with the Creative Impact Award and San José artist, Joe Miller, as the recipient of the Luminary Artist Award.
 When: Friday, Oct. 24, 2025
5:30 p.m.

Tickets to the free event are available via the Hammer Theatre Center website.
 Where: Hammer Theatre Center
101 Paseo de San Antonio
San José, CA 95113
 Background: Inaugurated in September 2013, the Cornerstone of the Arts Award honors individuals and organizations who have had a significant and long-lasting impact on San José’s art and cultural landscape.

For more information on the award recipients, view the memo from the Office of Cultural Affairs.

Previous Cornerstone Award recipients include Irene Dalis, former Mayor Susan Hammer, Carmen and Al Castellano, Roy and PJ Hirabayashi, Elisa Marina Alvarado, Cathleen and Randall King, Bruce Labadie, Andrew Bales, Dr. Jerrold Hiura (posthumous), Chike Nwoffiah, Connie Martinez and most recently in 2024, Ken Matsumoto and Rick Holden (posthumous).

The award is spearheaded by the City of San José’s Arts Commission and the Office of Economic Development and Cultural Affairs.

###

Return to full list >>