Grammy Award for Best Recording Package

The Grammy Award for Best Recording Package is one of a series of Grammy Awards presented for the visual look of an album. It is presented to the art director of the winning album. An art director in the context of a music album is a professional responsible for overseeing the visual aspects of the album's production.

Grammy Award for Best Recording Package
Awarded forquality visual look of an album
CountryUnited States
Presented byNational Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences
First awarded1959
Currently held byDry Cleaning – Stumpwork (2024)
Websitegrammy.com

Often, the performer also takes on the role of art director, rather than that of the designer. For larger projects or those associated with major labels, professional art directors and designers are typically involved, as specified by contractual agreements. Independent musicians, on the other hand, may handle these roles themselves.

This role includes designing the album cover, selecting artwork and photography, and coordinating the overall visual presentation that aligns with the music's theme and the artist's image. The art director works closely with graphic designers, photographers, and stylists to create a cohesive aesthetic that complements the music and enhances the artist's branding. This position is crucial in shaping how listeners perceive the album through its visual elements.

The Grammy Award for Best Album Cover dates back to the first Grammy Awards in 1959. From 1962 to 1965 it was separated into Classical and Non-Classical divisions. From 1966 to 1968 it was separated into Graphic Arts and Photography divisions. In 1974, the name of the award was changed to Best Album Package, and changed again in 1994 to the current name.

In 1995, boxed sets were no longer eligible, as they were split off into a separate award, currently known as the Grammy Award for Best Boxed or Special Limited Edition Package.

Winners and nominees

Year[I]Art Director(s)WorkPerforming artist(s)Nominees
Performers are in parentheses
Ref.
1959Frank SinatraFrank Sinatra Sings for Only the LonelyFrank Sinatra
[1]
1959Robert M. JonesShostakovich: Symphony No. 5Howard Mitchell (conducting the National Symphony Orchestra)
[2]
1961Marvin SchwartzLatin ala Lee!Peggy Lee
[3]
1962
Best Album Cover – Other Than Classical[4]
Jim SilkeJudy at Carnegie HallJudy Garland
Best Album Cover – Classical
Marvin SchwartzPuccini: Madame ButterflyGabriele Santini
1963
Best Album Cover – Other Than Classical[5]
Robert M. JonesLena... Lovely and AliveLena Horne
Best Album Cover – Classical
Marvin SchwartzThe Intimate BachLaurindo Almeida, Virginia Majewski & Vincent DeRosa
1964
Best Album Cover – Other Than Classical[6]
John BergThe Barbra Streisand AlbumBarbra Streisand
Best Album Cover – Classical
Robert M. JonesPuccini: Madama ButterflyErich Leinsdorf
1965
Best Album Cover – Other Than Classical[7]
Robert Cato and Don BronsteinPeopleBarbra Streisand
Best Album Cover – Classical
Robert M. Jones and Jan BaletSaint-Saëns: Carnival of the Animals/Britten: Young Person's Guide to the OrchestraArthur Fiedler conducting the Boston Pops
1966
Best Album Cover, Graphic Arts[8]
George Estes and James AlexanderBartók: Concerto No. 2 for Violin/Stravinsky: Concerto for ViolinJoseph Silverstein & Erich Leinsdorf conducting the Boston Symphony Orchestra
Best Album Cover, Photography
Robert M. Jones and Ken WhitmoreJazz Suite on the Mass TextsPaul Horn
1967
Best Album Cover, Graphic Arts[9]
Klaus VoormannRevolverThe Beatles
Best Album Cover, Photography
Robert M. Jones and Les LeveretteConfessions of a Broken ManPorter Wagoner
1968
Best Album Cover, Graphic Arts[10]
Peter Blake and Jann HaworthSgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club BandThe Beatles
Best Album Cover, Photography
John Berg, Bob Cato, and Rowland SchermanBob Dylan's Greatest HitsBob Dylan
1969John Berg, Richard Mantel, and Horn/Griner StudioUndergroundThelonious Monk[11]
1970Evelyn J. Kelbish and David StahlbergAmerica the BeautifulGary McFarland
[12]
1971Robert Lockhart and Ivan NagyIndianola Mississippi SeedsB. B. King
[13]
1972Gene Brownell and Dean O. TorrencePollutionPollution
[14]
1973Acy Lehman and Harvey DinnersteinThe Siegel-Schwall BandThe Siegel-Schwall Band
[15]
1974Wilkes & BraunTommyLondon Symphony Orchestra and Chambre Choir[16]
1975Ed Thrasher and Christopher WhorfCome & GoneMason Proffit
[17]
1976Jim LadwigHoneyOhio Players
[18]
1977John BergChicago XChicago
[19]
1978John BergLove NotesRamsey Lewis
[20]
1979Johnny Lee and Tony LaneBoys in the TreesCarly Simon
[21]
1980Mike Doud and Mick HaggertyBreakfast in AmericaSupertramp
[22]
1981Roy KoharaAgainst the WindBob Seger & The Silver Bullet Band
[23]
1982Peter CorristonTattoo YouThe Rolling Stones
[24]
1983Kosh and Ron LarsonGet CloserLinda Ronstadt
[25]
1984Robert RauschenbergSpeaking in TonguesTalking Heads
[26]
1985Janet PerrShe's So UnusualCyndi Lauper
[27]
1986Kosh and Ron LarsonLush LifeLinda Ronstadt
[28]
1987Eiko IshiokaTutuMiles Davis
[29]
1988Bill JohnsonKing's Record ShopRosanne Cash
[30]
1989Bill JohnsonTired of the Runnin'The O'Kanes
[31]
1990Roger GormanSound + VisionDavid Bowie
[32]
1991Len Peltier, Jeff Gold, and Suzanne VegaDays of Open HandSuzanne Vega
[33][34]
1992VartanThe Complete Decca RecordingsBillie Holiday
[35]
1993Melanie NissenSpellboundPaula Abdul
[36]
1994David LauThe Complete Billie Holiday on Verve 1945–1959Billie Holiday
[37]
1995Buddy JacksonTribute to the Music of Bob Wills and the Texas PlayboysAsleep at the Wheel
[38]
1996Robbie Cavolina and Joni MitchellTurbulent IndigoJoni Mitchell
[39]
1997Andy Engel and Tommy SteeleUltra-Lounge (Leopard Skin Sampler)Various Artists
[40]
1998Hugh Brown, Al Q, and Jeff SmithTitanic: Music As Heard on the Fateful VoyageVarious Artists
[41]
1999Kevin ReaganRay of LightMadonna
[42]
2000Ray Benson, Sally Carns, and Buddy JacksonRide With BobAsleep at the Wheel
  • Carla Leighton – Bleecker Street: Greenwich Village in the 1960s (Various Artists)
  • Tammy Dotson, Michael Hodgson, and Clive Piercy – Late Night Sessions (Caravana Cubana)
  • Brad Benedict, Andy Engel, Johnny Lee, and Tommy Steele – Ultra-Lounge: Tiki Sampler (Various Artists)
  • Joseph Arthur and Zachary Larner – Vacancy (Joseph Arthur)
[43]
2001Kevin ReaganMusicMadonna
[45]
2002Stanley Donwood and TchockyAmnesiac (Special Limited Edition)Radiohead
[47]
2003Kevin ReaganHomeDixie Chicks
[48]
2004Ani DiFranco and Brian GrunertEvolveAni DiFranco
[49]
2005Peter Buchanan-Smith and Dan NadelA Ghost Is BornWilco
[50]
2006Aimee Mann and Gail MarowitzThe Forgotten ArmAimee Mann[51]
2007Adam Jones10,000 DaysTool
[52]
2008Zachary NipperCassadagaBright Eyes
[53]
2009Bruce Duckworth, Sarah Moffat and David TurnerDeath MagneticMetallica
[54]
2010Stefan SagmeisterEverything That Happens Will Happen TodayDavid Byrne & Brian Eno
[55]
2011Michael CarneyBrothersThe Black Keys
[56]
2012Caroline RobertThe Suburbs (Deluxe)[57]Arcade Fire
[58]
2013Michael Amzalag & Mathias AugustyniakBiophiliaBjörk[59]
2014Sarah Dodds and Shauna DoddsLong Night MoonReckless Kelly
[60]
2015Jeff Ament, Don Pendleton, Joe Spix, and Jerome TurnerLightning BoltPearl Jam
[61]
2016Sarah Dodds, Shauna Dodds & Dick ReevesStill the King: Celebrating the Music of Bob Wills and His Texas PlayboysAsleep at the Wheel
[62]
2017Jonathan BarnbrookBlackstarDavid Bowie
[63]
2018Carlos Dussan, Juliana Jaramillo, Juan Martinez & Claudio RoncoliEl Orisha De La RosaMagín Díaz
[64]
Sasha Barr, Ed Steed & Josh TillmanPure Comedy (Deluxe Edition)Father John Misty
2019Willo PerronMasseductionSt. Vincent
[65]
2020Barry Ament, Jeff Ament, & Joe SpixChris CornellChris Cornell
  • Luisa María Arango, Carlos Dussan, Manuel García-Orozco & Juliana Jaramillo-Buenaventura – Anónimas & Resilientes (The Voces del Bullerengue)
  • Andrew Wong & Fongming Yang – Hold That Tiger (The Muddy Basin Ramblers)
  • Aaron Anderson & Eric Timothy Carlson – I,I (Bon Iver)
  • Irwan Awalludin – Intellexual (Intellexual)
[66]
2021Doug Cunningham & Jason NotoVols. 11 & 12The Desert Sessions
[67]
2022Li Jheng Han & Yu WeiPakelang2nd Generation Falangao Singing Group & The Chairman Crossover Big Band
[68]
2023Chun-Tien Hsiao & Qing-Yang XiaoBeginningless BeginningTamsu-Kavalan Chinese Orchestra[69]
2024Rottingdean Bazaar (Luke Brooks & James Theseus Buck) and Annie CollingeStumpworkDry Cleaning[70]

Multiple wins

The following individuals received two or more awards for Best Recording Package (or any previous iteration of the award):

WinsArt director
6Robert M. Jones
5John Berg
3Kevin Reagan
Marvin Schwartz
2Bill Johnson
Buddy Jackson
Jeff Ament
Joe Spix
Kosh
Ron Larson
Sarah Dodds
Shauna Dodds

References