Cultural Council selects 2026 award honorees

By Grace Lovins

The Birmingham Bloomfield Cultural Council has announced this year’s honorees for the 2026 Cultural Arts Awards.

Among those recognized are Daniel Cascardo, “His Art Engages Community,” who will receive the Cultural Arts Award; Robert Ziegelman FAIA, "Architect of a Better Birmingham,” who will receive the Lifetime Achievement Award, and the Birmingham Museum, “Celebrating Birmingham’s History,” which will receive the Partners with the Arts Award.

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  Dan Cascardo

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  Bob Ziegelman

Cascardo was described by his nominators as a “people’s artist" and “endlessly creative and inspiring.” A graduate of College for Creative Studies in Detroit, Cascardo’s artwork has made its way throughout the midwest and beyond. His artwork incorporates local landmarks and architectural artifacts within the community which was highlighted for bringing people together and fostering a shared sense of community pride.

Some of his major commissions include: Starbucks Corporation in Seattle, Henry Ford Health Systems, International Auto Show in Detroit, Hubbard Street Mural Project in Chicago, True Religion Fragrance in Gardena, CA, and the cities of Ferndale, Royal Oak and Big Rapids.

Ziegelman is a well-known presence in the city of Birmingham, known for his decades of contributions to the city’s built environment. Per his biography, Ziegelman participated in the development of the original Civic Design Strategy in 1966 and designed 47 projects in Birmingham, 24 of which received American Institute of Architects Honor Awards.

Ziegelman and his firm were the force behind several landmark projects including the Pontiac Silverdome, University of Michigan Business School, Prefabricated Westinghouse Power Generation Control Centers throughout the Western Hemisphere, the Kellogg Foundation World Headquarters, and most recently the energy-efficient 555 Building renovation and Birmingham Baldwin Library renovation and restoration.

He was also recognized in May on his 90th birthday for his “profound contributions” to the city of Birmingham by mayor Clinton Baller and the city commission.

The awards will be presented at a reception at the Birmingham Bloomfield Art Center Friday, October 9, from 5-8 p.m. The event is free and open to the public.

The Cultural Arts Awards are sponsored by the Cultural Council of Birmingham Bloomfield, in conjunction with the Birmingham Bloomfield Arts Center (BBAC), Bloomfield Community Television, and Downtown Newsmagazine.