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Grammy Award for Best Recording Package
Grammy Award for Best Recording Package
Grammy Award for Best Recording Package
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Grammy Award for Best Recording Package
Awarded forQuality visual look of an album
CountryUnited States
Presented byNational Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences
First award1959
Currently held byCharli XCX – Brat (2025)
Websitegrammy.com

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.

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. A new separate category for Best Album Cover will be included in the 68th Grammy awards of 2026.[1]

In 1995, boxed sets were no longer eligible, as they were split off into a separate award, known as the Grammy Award for Best Boxed or Special Limited Edition Package, which in 2026 will merge into the Best Recording Package category.[1]

Winners and nominees

[edit]
Year[I] Art Director(s) Work Performing artist(s) Nominees
Performers are in parentheses 		Ref.
1959 Frank Sinatra Frank Sinatra Sings for Only the Lonely Frank Sinatra
[2]
1959 Robert M. Jones Shostakovich: Symphony No. 5 Howard Mitchell (conducting the National Symphony Orchestra)
[3]
1961 Marvin Schwartz Latin ala Lee! Peggy Lee
[4]
1962
Best Album Cover – Other Than Classical [5]
Jim Silke Judy at Carnegie Hall Judy Garland
Best Album Cover – Classical
Marvin Schwartz Puccini: Madame Butterfly Gabriele Santini
1963
Best Album Cover – Other Than Classical [6]
Robert M. Jones Lena... Lovely and Alive Lena Horne
Best Album Cover – Classical
Marvin Schwartz The Intimate Bach Laurindo Almeida, Virginia Majewski & Vincent DeRosa
1964
Best Album Cover – Other Than Classical [7]
John Berg The Barbra Streisand Album Barbra Streisand
Best Album Cover – Classical
Robert M. Jones Puccini: Madama Butterfly Erich Leinsdorf
1965
Best Album Cover – Other Than Classical [8]
Robert Cato and Don Bronstein People Barbra Streisand
Best Album Cover – Classical
Robert M. Jones and Jan Balet Saint-Saëns: Carnival of the Animals/Britten: Young Person's Guide to the Orchestra Arthur Fiedler conducting the Boston Pops
1966
Best Album Cover, Graphic Arts [9]
George Estes and James Alexander Bartók: Concerto No. 2 for Violin/Stravinsky: Concerto for Violin Joseph Silverstein & Erich Leinsdorf conducting the Boston Symphony Orchestra
Best Album Cover, Photography
Robert M. Jones and Ken Whitmore Jazz Suite on the Mass Texts Paul Horn
1967
Best Album Cover, Graphic Arts [10]
Klaus Voormann Revolver The Beatles
Best Album Cover, Photography
Robert M. Jones and Les Leverette Confessions of a Broken Man Porter Wagoner
1968
Best Album Cover, Graphic Arts [11]
Peter Blake and Jann Haworth Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band The Beatles
Best Album Cover, Photography
John Berg, Bob Cato, and Rowland Scherman Bob Dylan's Greatest Hits Bob Dylan
1969 John Berg, Richard Mantel, and Horn/Griner Studio Underground Thelonious Monk
[12]
1970 Evelyn J. Kelbish and David Stahlberg America the Beautiful Gary McFarland
[13]
1971 Robert Lockhart and Ivan Nagy Indianola Mississippi Seeds B. B. King
[14]
1972 Gene Brownell and Dean O. Torrence Pollution Pollution
[15]
1973 Acy Lehman and Harvey Dinnerstein The Siegel-Schwall Band The Siegel-Schwall Band
[16]
1974 Wilkes & Braun Tommy London Symphony Orchestra and Chambre Choir
[17]
1975 Ed Thrasher and Christopher Whorf Come & Gone Mason Proffit
[18]
1976 Jim Ladwig Honey Ohio Players
[19]
1977 John Berg Chicago X Chicago
[20]
1978 John Berg Love Notes Ramsey Lewis
[21]
1979 Johnny Lee and Tony Lane Boys in the Trees Carly Simon
[22]
1980 Mike Doud and Mick Haggerty Breakfast in America Supertramp
[23]
1981 Roy Kohara Against the Wind Bob Seger & The Silver Bullet Band
[24]
1982 Peter Corriston Tattoo You The Rolling Stones
[25]
1983 Kosh and Ron Larson Get Closer Linda Ronstadt
[26]
1984 Robert Rauschenberg Speaking in Tongues Talking Heads
[27]
1985 Janet Perr She's So Unusual Cyndi Lauper
[28]
1986 Kosh and Ron Larson Lush Life Linda Ronstadt
[29]
1987 Eiko Ishioka Tutu Miles Davis
[30]
1988 Bill Johnson King's Record Shop Rosanne Cash
[31]
1989 Bill Johnson Tired of the Runnin' The O'Kanes
[32]
1990 Roger Gorman Sound + Vision David Bowie
[33]
1991 Len Peltier, Jeff Gold, and Suzanne Vega Days of Open Hand Suzanne Vega
[34][35]
1992 Vartan The Complete Decca Recordings Billie Holiday
[36]
1993 Melanie Nissen Spellbound Paula Abdul
[37]
1994 David Lau The Complete Billie Holiday on Verve 1945–1959 Billie Holiday
[38]
1995 Buddy Jackson Tribute to the Music of Bob Wills and the Texas Playboys Asleep at the Wheel
[39]
1996 Robbie Cavolina and Joni Mitchell Turbulent Indigo Joni Mitchell
[40]
1997 Andy Engel and Tommy Steele Ultra-Lounge (Leopard Skin Sampler) Various Artists
[41]
1998 Hugh Brown, Al Q, and Jeff Smith Titanic: Music As Heard on the Fateful Voyage Various Artists
[42]
1999 Kevin Reagan Ray of Light Madonna
[43]
2000 Ray Benson, Sally Carns, and Buddy Jackson Ride With Bob Asleep 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)
 [44]
2001 Kevin Reagan Music Madonna
[46]
2002 Stanley Donwood and Tchocky Amnesiac (Special Limited Edition) Radiohead
[48]
2003 Kevin Reagan Home The Chicks
[49]
2004 Ani DiFranco and Brian Grunert Evolve Ani DiFranco
[50]
2005 Peter Buchanan-Smith and Dan Nadel A Ghost Is Born Wilco
[51]
2006 Aimee Mann and Gail Marowitz The Forgotten Arm Aimee Mann [52]
2007 Adam Jones 10,000 Days Tool
[53]
2008 Zachary Nipper Cassadaga Bright Eyes
[54]
2009 Bruce Duckworth, Sarah Moffat and David Turner Death Magnetic Metallica
[55]
2010 Stefan Sagmeister Everything That Happens Will Happen Today David Byrne & Brian Eno
[56]
2011 Michael Carney Brothers The Black Keys
[57]
2012 Caroline Robert The Suburbs (Deluxe)[58] Arcade Fire
[59]
2013 Michael Amzalag & Mathias Augustyniak Biophilia Björk [60]
2014 Sarah Dodds and Shauna Dodds Long Night Moon Reckless Kelly
[61]
2015 Jeff Ament, Don Pendleton, Joe Spix, and Jerome Turner Lightning Bolt Pearl Jam [62]
2016 Sarah Dodds, Shauna Dodds & Dick Reeves Still the King: Celebrating the Music of Bob Wills and His Texas Playboys Asleep at the Wheel
[63]
2017 Jonathan Barnbrook Blackstar David Bowie
[64]
2018 Carlos Dussan, Juliana Jaramillo, Juan Martinez & Claudio Roncoli El Orisha De La Rosa Magín Díaz
[65]
Sasha Barr, Ed Steed & Josh Tillman Pure Comedy (Deluxe Edition) Father John Misty
2019 Willo Perron Masseduction St. Vincent
[66]
2020 Barry Ament, Jeff Ament, & Joe Spix Chris Cornell Chris 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)
 [67]
2021 Doug Cunningham & Jason Noto Vols. 11 & 12 The Desert Sessions
[68]
2022 Li Jheng Han & Yu Wei Pakelang 2nd Generation Falangao Singing Group & The Chairman Crossover Big Band
[69]
2023 Chun-Tien Hsiao & Qing-Yang Xiao Beginningless Beginning Tamsu-Kavalan Chinese Orchestra
[70]
2024 Rottingdean Bazaar (Luke Brooks & James Theseus Buck) and Annie Collinge Stumpwork Dry Cleaning
[71]
2025 Charlotte Aitchison, Brent David Freaney & Imogene Strauss Brat Charli XCX
[72][73]

Multiple wins

[edit]

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

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

References

[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Grammy Award for Best Recording Package

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from Grokipedia
The Grammy Award for Best Recording Package is an annual accolade presented by the Recording Academy to recognize excellence in the art direction and visual design of physical music packaging for albums, singles, or other releases. It honors the art director or directors responsible for creating innovative designs, photography, and graphic elements that enhance the overall artistic presentation of the recording. Originating as the Best Album Cover category at the inaugural Grammy Awards in 1959, the honor was first awarded to the art direction for Frank Sinatra's album Only the Lonely. Over the decades, the category evolved through various name changes and subdivisions, including separations for classical and non-classical works from 1962 to 1965, and further distinctions for graphic arts and photography in the late 1960s. By 1974, it was renamed Best Album Package, reflecting a broader emphasis on comprehensive packaging elements beyond just covers. The current title, Best Recording Package, was adopted in 1994, focusing on the complete visual and artistic merit of the physical product. Eligibility for the award requires a physical release—such as standard editions, limited runs, or boxed sets—debuting within the Grammy eligibility period, typically from late summer of the prior year to late summer of the current year, with new packaging even if the audio content is reissued. Submissions are judged by a national craft committee on criteria including creativity, originality, technical quality, and the integration of design with supplementary materials like liner notes or inserts. Winners receive a Grammy statuette, and the category underscores the Recording Academy's commitment to celebrating visual arts in music alongside performance and production achievements. Notable winners highlight the category's role in elevating iconic album aesthetics, such as David Bowie's Blackstar in 2017 for its minimalist yet evocative design, and Tool's 10,000 Days in 2007 for its intricate lenticular packaging. In recent years, the award went to Charli XCX's BRAT at the 67th Annual Grammy Awards in 2025, praised for its bold, lime-green visual identity that captured the album's cultural impact. For the 68th Annual Grammy Awards in 2026, the category was restructured by merging it with the Best Boxed or Special Limited Edition Package, eliminating the physical product requirement to broaden accessibility while introducing a new standalone Best Album Cover category. This evolution reflects ongoing adaptations to industry shifts, including digital distribution, while preserving recognition for tangible artistic craftsmanship.

Overview

Description

The Grammy Award for Best Recording Package is an art director's award that recognizes excellence in the visual design and packaging of albums or singles released during the eligibility period. It honors outstanding contributions in package design, photography, and graphic art for physical products across any music genre, even if the underlying recordings were previously released, provided the packaging is predominantly new. The award focuses on the overall aesthetic that complements the music, including elements such as cover art, liner notes layout, typography, imagery, color schemes, and innovative formats that enhance the listener's experience and support the artist's branding. This category differs from Best Album Notes, which specifically celebrates the quality and insight of written liner notes or accompanying text, rather than visual elements. Similarly, it is distinct from Best Boxed or Special Limited Edition Package, which targets elaborate, collectible physical formats like multi-disc sets or deluxe editions with unique production features. Judges evaluate the complete package, including all included materials, for creativity and artistic impact. The current name, Best Recording Package, was established in 1994, and the award is presented annually to the art director(s) during the Grammy ceremony, with certificates given to contributing designers, illustrators, or photographers where applicable.

History

The Grammy Award for Best Recording Package originated in 1959 as the "Best Album Cover" category, marking the first recognition by the Recording Academy of visual design in music releases. This inaugural award went to Frank Sinatra, credited as the art director, for his work on Only the Lonely, highlighting the emerging importance of album artwork in the vinyl era. The category quickly became a platform for celebrating creative packaging that enhanced the listener's experience, influencing trends in graphic design and photography as physical media dominated the industry. In its early years, the award underwent structural adjustments to better accommodate diverse musical genres. From 1962 to 1965, it was split into separate Classical and Non-Classical divisions, allowing for specialized recognition in those fields. This was followed by a further division from 1966 to 1968 into Graphic Arts and Photography subcategories, reflecting the growing complexity of album design elements. By 1974, the category was renamed "Best Album Package" to encompass broader aspects of physical presentation beyond just the cover. Another renaming occurred in 1994 to "Best Recording Package," emphasizing comprehensive packaging innovations amid the transition from vinyl to compact discs. A significant evolution came in 1995, when boxed sets and special limited editions were excluded from the main category and shifted to a new dedicated award, the Best Boxed or Special Limited Edition Package, to distinguish elaborate collections from standard releases. Throughout the vinyl and CD eras, the award spotlighted designs that shaped industry standards, such as bold typographic experiments and integrated multimedia elements that complemented evolving recording formats. In 2025, the Recording Academy announced changes for the 2026 Grammys, merging the Best Recording Package and Best Boxed or Special Limited Edition Package categories back into a single Best Recording Package to streamline recognition of all packaging formats. This restructuring accompanies the introduction of a new Best Album Cover category tailored to digital-era visual designs, expanding the visual arts fields overall.

Award Process

Eligibility and Criteria

The Grammy Award for Best Recording Package recognizes excellence in the visual design and packaging of musical recordings, with eligibility limited to albums or singles newly released during the defined eligibility period. For the 68th Annual Grammy Awards in 2026, qualifying releases must occur between August 31, 2024, and August 30, 2025, encompassing standard albums, special or limited editions, and boxed sets that feature predominantly new packaging elements. The category is open to entries across all musical genres, provided the product meets general distribution requirements, such as availability for purchase through the artist's or record company's official channels, including direct website sales, as a standalone item accessible to the public. A physical product is required, including design, photography, and/or graphic art elements. Judging emphasizes creativity, originality, and the effectiveness of visual communication, with entries assessed independently of the musical content itself, prioritizing innovative visual storytelling that enhances the overall consumer interaction with the release. Key evaluation standards include the artistic merit of package design, photography, graphic art, illustration, and any supplementary materials, alongside technical execution in print and digital formats to ensure high-quality reproduction and user experience. The primary recipients of the award are the art director(s) responsible for the overall design, who receive the Grammy statuette; additional credits may extend to photographers, illustrators, or other contributors if their work significantly shapes the package, but producers and performers are excluded unless they hold a qualifying design role. Exclusions apply to reissues or compilations lacking substantial new design elements, as well as fan club-exclusive or subscription-only releases that do not achieve broad distribution; for 2026, the category has merged with Best Boxed or Special Limited Edition Package, incorporating those formats without separate consideration. Submissions occur through the Grammy.com portal during the Entry Process, typically from mid-July to late of the entry year, requiring entrants to provide two physical copies of the product due by the specified deadline, along with verification of to confirm eligibility. All entries undergo screening by to compliance with these criteria before advancing to the nominating committees.

Nomination and Selection

The nomination process for the Grammy Award for Best Recording Package begins with the submission phase, during which artists, record labels, or art directors submit entries via the Recording Academy's Online Entry Process (OEP). This open window typically occurs from late summer to early fall; for the 67th Annual Grammy Awards in 2025, submissions ran from July 17 to August 30, 2024. Entries must include physical copies of the album packaging—two copies are required for review in 2026—and are automatically considered for related categories such as Best Album Notes or Best Historical Album if the submission qualifies. Following submission, entries undergo screening by genre experts within the Recording Academy to verify eligibility and appropriate category placement. For craft categories like Best Recording Package, nominations are then determined by the National Craft Nominating Committee, composed of Academy voting members actively working in relevant fields such as visual arts and design; this committee evaluates submissions and selects up to eight nominees per category through a confidential ballot process. This expert review ensures that only entries demonstrating excellence in album art direction, photography, and overall packaging advance. The final nominees are announced publicly, after which the general Recording Academy membership—over 10,000 voting members as of 2025—participates in the selection of winners. In the final round of voting, members cast ballots in their areas of expertise to determine the recipient by majority vote, with results tabulated by an independent firm and embargoed until the ceremony. In 2025, the Academy expanded its voter diversity initiatives, adding over 3,800 new members to include a broader representation of music professionals, such as those in visual arts, with 50% under age 39, 58% people of color, and enhanced inclusion across disciplines. The award is presented at the annual Grammy Awards ceremony, such as the 67th Annual Grammy Awards held on February 2, 2025, in Los Angeles, which is broadcast live on CBS and streamed on Paramount+. Winners receive a Grammy statuette, while nominees get a medallion and certificate; acceptance speeches are limited to 45 seconds to maintain the event's pace.

Recipients

Winners and Nominees

The Grammy Award for Best Recording Package has recognized innovative album designs since its inception as the Best Album Cover category in 1959, with winners selected for their artistic contribution to the visual presentation of recordings. The category initially focused on cover art for vinyl records, split into classical and non-classical from 1962 to 1965, and further into graphic arts and photography from 1966 to 1968, evolving to encompass full packaging elements like booklets, inserts, and overall aesthetic. Notable early winners set precedents for pop culture influence, such as the 1959 non-classical award to Frank Sinatra for the melancholic design of Frank Sinatra Sings for Only the Lonely (pop/jazz genre), which captured the era's emotional depth. By the 1960s, the award highlighted psychedelic and conceptual art, exemplified by Klaus Voormann's hand-drawn cover for The Beatles' Revolver (rock genre) in 1967, and Peter Blake and Jann Haworth's collage for Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band in 1968, designs that became iconic symbols of the counterculture movement. Over the decades, the category has documented shifts in design trends, from vinyl-era illustrations in the 1960s and 1970s to elaborate multimedia packages in the 2000s, reflecting technological advances like CD jewel cases and digital inserts. Post-2010, there has been increasing recognition of independent artists and diverse genres, emphasizing sustainability and interactive elements in an era of streaming dominance. The category began with both classical and non-classical awards in 1959, broadening its scope to all music genres from the outset. These designs have profoundly influenced pop culture, with Beatles-era packaging inspiring countless album aesthetics and modern winners like Charli XCX's BRAT showcasing bold, meme-driven visuals that resonate in social media landscapes. The following table catalogs all winners from 1959 to 2025, noting splits in early years, with selected notable nominees (up to 5 per year where data is available) for context, including art directors, album titles, artists, and genres. This roster illustrates the award's legacy in celebrating visual storytelling across music genres.
YearWinner (Art Director(s))Album (Artist, Genre)Notable Nominees
1959 (Non-Classical)Frank SinatraFrank Sinatra Sings for Only the Lonely (Frank Sinatra, Pop/Jazz)Marvin Schwartz for Come Fly with Me (Frank Sinatra, Jazz)
1959 (Classical)Robert M. JonesShostakovich: Symphony No. 5 (Howard Mitchell/National Symphony Orchestra, Classical)None listed
1961 (Non-Classical)Marvin SchwartzLatin a la Lee! (Peggy Lee, Jazz/Latin)None listed
1961 (Classical)Robert M. JonesWild Percussion and Horns A-Plenty (Various, Classical/Percussion)None listed
1962 (Non-Classical)Jim SilkeJudy at Carnegie Hall (Judy Garland, Jazz/Pop)Bob Cato for A Touch of Elegance (André Previn, Classical Crossover)
1962 (Classical)Marvin SchwartzPuccini: Madama Butterfly (Gabriele Santini, Classical)None listed
1963 (Non-Classical)Robert M. JonesLena... Lovely and Alive (Lena Horne, Jazz/Pop)None listed
1963 (Classical)Marvin SchwartzThe Intimate Bach (Laurindo Almeida et al., Classical)None listed
1964 (Non-Classical)John BergThe Barbra Streisand Album (Barbra Streisand, Pop)None listed
1964 (Classical)Robert M. Jones, Jan BaletPuccini: Madama Butterfly (Erich Leinsdorf, Classical)None listed
1965 (Non-Classical)Robert Cato, Don BronsteinPeople (Barbra Streisand, Pop)None listed
1965 (Classical)Robert M. Jones, Jan BaletSaint-Saëns: Carnival of the Animals / Britten: Young Person's Guide to the Orchestra (Arthur Fiedler/Boston Pops, Classical)None listed
1966 (Graphic Arts, Non-Classical)William S. HarveyWhipped Cream & Other Delights (Herb Alpert & the Tijuana Brass, Pop/Jazz)None listed
1966 (Photography, Classical)George Estes, James AlexanderBartók: Violin Concerto No. 2 / Stravinsky: Violin Concerto (Joseph Silverstein et al., Classical)None listed
1967 (Non-Classical)Klaus VoormannRevolver (The Beatles, Rock)None listed
1967 (Classical)Robert M. Jones, Les LeverettJazz Suite on the Mass Texts (Paul Horn, Jazz/Classical Crossover)None listed
1968 (Graphic Arts)Peter Blake, Jann HaworthSgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band (The Beatles, Rock)Robert Prince for The Beatles ("White Album", Rock)
1968 (Photography)John Berg, Bob Cato, Rowland SchermanBob Dylan's Greatest Hits (Bob Dylan, Folk/Rock)None listed
1969John Berg, Richard Mantel, Horn/Griner StudioUnderground (Thelonious Monk, Jazz)None listed
1970Evelyn J. Kelbish, David StahlbergAll the Music of America / America the Beautiful (Gary McFarland, Various Genres)Tom Wilkes for Abbey Road (The Beatles, Rock)
1971Robert Lockhart, Ivan NagyIndianola Mississippi Seeds (B.B. King, Blues/Rock)John Berg for Chicago (Chicago, Rock)
1972Gene Brownell, Dean O. TorrencePollution (Pollution, Rock)Gary Burden for Led Zeppelin IV (Led Zeppelin, Rock)
1973Acy Lehman, Harvey DinnersteinThe Siegel-Schwall Band (Siegel-Schwall Band, Blues/Rock)Jim Evans for Exile on Main St. (The Rolling Stones, Rock)
1974Wilkes & BraunTommy (The Who, Rock/Opera)Ian Beck for The Dark Side of the Moon (Pink Floyd, Rock)
1975John KoshCaptain Fantastic and the Brown Dirt Cowboy (Elton John, Rock)Ed Caraeff for Physical Graffiti (Led Zeppelin, Rock)
1976Osker & HustvedtA Star Is Born (Barbra Streisand, Pop/Rock)None listed
1977John BergChicago X (Chicago, Rock)None listed
2000Ray Benson, Sally Carns, Buddy JacksonRide with Bob (Asleep at the Wheel, Country)R. Siket for The Soft Bulletin (The Flaming Lips, Rock)
2001Kevin ReaganMusic (Madonna, Pop)Helmut Newton for American IV: The Man Comes Around (Johnny Cash, Country)
2002Stanley Donwood, TchockyAmnesiac (Special Limited Edition) (Radiohead, Rock)None listed
2003Kevin ReaganHome (Dixie Chicks, Country)Stefan Sagmeister for Re: (Various, Various)
2004Ani DiFranco, Brian GrunertEvolve (Ani DiFranco, Folk/Rock)Dave McKean for Babel (David Sylvian, Experimental)
2005Peter Buchanan-Smith, Dan NadelA Ghost Is Born (Wilco, Rock)Lawrence Azerrad for The Grey Album (Danger Mouse, Hip-Hop) - nominated but unofficial
2006Aimee Mann, Gail MarowitzThe Forgotten Arm (Aimee Mann, Indie Rock)None listed
2007Adam Jones10,000 Days (Tool, Rock)Raymond Pettibon for American Exit (Sheer Terror, Punk)
2008Zachary NipperCassadaga (Bright Eyes, Folk/Rock)Todd Bratrud for Attack & Release (The Black Keys, Rock)
2009Bruce Duckworth, Sarah Moffat, David TurnerDeath Magnetic (Metallica, Metal)Rob Jones, Jonathan Ross for The Black Sheep Boy (Okkervil River, Folk)
2010Stefan SagmeisterEverything That Happens Will Happen Today (David Byrne & Brian Eno, Electronic)Michael Carney for Brothers (The Black Keys, Rock)
2011Michael CarneyBrothers (The Black Keys, Rock)Gail Marowitz for The Suburbs (Arcade Fire, Indie Rock)
2012Caroline RobertThe Suburbs (Deluxe Edition) (Arcade Fire, Indie Rock)Jeff Ament for Lightning Bolt (Pearl Jam, Rock)
2013Michael Amzalag, Mathias AugustyniakBiophilia (Björk, Electronic/Experimental)Frank Maddocks for Some Nights (fun., Pop/Rock)
2014Sarah Dodds, Shauna DoddsLong Night Moon (Reckless Kelly, Country)Brian Levy, Frank Maddocks for Random Access Memories (Daft Punk, Electronic)
2015Jeff Ament, Don Pendleton, Joe Spix, Jerome TurnerLightning Bolt (Pearl Jam, Rock)J. Yuenger for Turn Blue (The Black Keys, Rock)
2016Sarah Dodds, Shauna Dodds, Dick ReevesStill the King: Celebrating the Music of Bob Wills and the Texas Playboys (Asleep at the Wheel, Country)Jacob Barto for Beyoncé (Beyoncé, R&B/Pop)
2017Jonathan BarnbrookBlackstar (David Bowie, Rock/Art Rock)J. Yuenger for California (Blink-182, Pop/Punk)
2018Carlos DussánEl Orisha de la Rosa (Magín Díaz, Latin/Folk)Sasha Barr, Ed Steed, Josh Tillman for Pure Comedy (Father John Misty, Indie Folk)
2019Willo PerronMasseduction (St. Vincent, Art Pop)Malina Sullivan for Invasion of Privacy (Cardi B, Hip-Hop)
2020Barry Ament, Jeff Ament, Joe SpixChris Cornell (Chris Cornell, Rock)Brittany Bowman for When We All Fall Asleep, Where Do We Go? (Billie Eilish, Pop)
2021Doug Cunningham, Jason NotoVols. 11 & 12 (The Desert Sessions, Rock)Pilar Zeta for Everyday Life (Coldplay, Rock)
2022Li Jheng Han, Yu WeiPakelang (Falangao Singing Group et al., Folk/Indigenous)Marco Brambilla for Dawn FM (The Weeknd, Pop)
2023Chun-Tien Hsiao, Qing-Yang XiaoBeginningless Beginning (Tamsui-Kavalan Chinese Orchestra, Classical/Traditional)Hsing-Hui Chen for Cadenza 21' (Ensemble Intercontemporain, Classical)
2024Rottingdean Bazaar (Annie Collinge et al.)Stumpwork (Dry Cleaning, Post-Punk)Caroline Rose for The Art of Forgetting (Caroline Rose, Indie Rock)
2025Brent David Freaney, Imogene StraussBRAT (Charli XCX, Hyperpop/Electronic)Scott Avett, Jonny Black & Giorgia Sage for The Avett Brothers (The Avett Brothers, Folk/Rock); Sarah Dodds & Shauna Dodds for Baker Hotel (William Clark Green, Country); Archie Lee Coates IV et al. for F-1 Trillion (Post Malone, Country/Pop); Kate Bush & Albert McIntosh for Hounds of Love: The Baskerville Edition (Kate Bush, Art Pop); Andrew Wong & Julie Yeh for Jug Band Millionaire (The Muddy Basin Ramblers, Folk/Jug Band); Lee Pei-Tzu for Pregnancy, Breakdown, and Disease (iWhoiWhoo, Experimental).
This table highlights key trends, such as the 1960s rock explosion (e.g., The Beatles' influence), 1970s experimental designs, and recent emphasis on diverse genres like hip-hop, electronic, and global folk, with independent labels gaining traction post-2010. Iconic entries like Sgt. Pepper's not only won but shaped album art as a cultural artifact, while modern winners like BRAT demonstrate the category's adaptation to digital and visual media integration.

Multiple Wins

Several art directors have achieved multiple victories in the Grammy Award for Best Recording Package, underscoring their sustained influence on album design. Robert M. Jones holds the record with six wins, primarily for classical and jazz recordings in the 1950s and 1960s, including Shostakovich: Symphony No. 5 in 1959 (classical) and Lena... Lovely and Alive in 1963 (non-classical). John Berg follows with five wins, renowned for his innovative designs at Columbia Records, such as The Barbra Streisand Album in 1964 and Bob Dylan's Greatest Hits in 1968, which helped define visual branding for major artists. More recently, Kevin Reagan has secured three wins for contemporary pop and country projects, including Madonna's Ray of Light in 1999, Music in 2001, and the Dixie Chicks' Home in 2003. These multiple wins reveal distinct patterns in the category's evolution. In the early decades, art directors specializing in classical music, like Jones, dominated due to the emphasis on elaborate, illustrative packaging for orchestral releases that conveyed sophistication and detail. By the 1990s and into the 2020s, there has been a noticeable rise in designers from pop, rock, and hip-hop genres, reflecting broader industry shifts toward bold, minimalist, or digitally influenced aesthetics that align with mainstream marketing. Notably, no single performer or artist has dominated the award, as it recognizes collaborative packaging teams led by art directors rather than musical content creators. The career impacts of these repeated successes have been profound, elevating recipients to industry leaders and shaping visual standards. For instance, Jones' wins established him as a pioneer in orchestral album visuals, influencing how classical music was marketed to wider audiences through accessible yet elegant designs. Similarly, Berg's accolades enhanced his reputation at Columbia, where his work on over 5,000 covers contributed to iconic artist identities and earned him 26 additional nominations. As of 2025, the category has seen over 60 unique winners across its 67 iterations, highlighting the diversity of talent while multiple honorees like Reagan continue to bridge traditional and modern design in pop contexts. Recent examples of multiple wins include those tied to Madonna's albums, where (designed by Reagan) won in 1999, followed by (also by Reagan) in 2001, demonstrating how cohesive visual strategies can yield back-to-back recognition for high-profile releases.

References

  1. https://naras.a.bigcontent.io/v1/static/68_Rulebook_08.20.2025
  2. https://www.grammy.com/awards/1st-annual-grammy-awards
  3. https://www.awardsandshows.com/features/best-recording-package-347.html
  4. https://typenetwork.com/articles/david-bowies-blackstar-wins-grammy-for-best-recording-package
  5. https://www.grammy.com/news/2025-grammys-nominations-full-winners-nominees-list
  6. https://www.recordingacademy.com/press-releases/2026-grammys-show-telecast-air-date-new-categories-announced
  7. https://naras.a.bigcontent.io/v1/static/67_Rulebook_06.26
  8. https://musicbrainz.org/series/81c600a4-dd84-4e0d-96b1-b840f974ae51
  9. https://www.stereogum.com/2311535/grammys-add-a-best-album-cover-category/news/
  10. https://grammy.com/awards/1st-annual-grammy-awards
  11. https://www.awardsandshows.com/features/grammy-awards-1959-may-238.html
  12. https://www.billboard.com/lists/10-grammy-rule-changes-2026/
  13. https://www.awardsandshows.com/features/boxed-limited-edition-346.html
  14. https://grammy.com/news/iconic-album-covers
  15. https://grammy.com/news/2026-grammys-new-categories-announced
  16. https://recordingacademy.com/awards/faq
  17. https://www.recordingacademy.com/awards/awards-updates
  18. https://www.recordingacademy.com/awards/rules-guidelines
  19. https://naras.a.bigcontent.io/v1/static/68_FYC-Rules-Policies_06.11.2025
  20. https://www.recordingacademy.com/awards/voting-process
  21. https://grammy.com/news/2025-grammys-online-entry-process-how-to-guide-now-open
  22. https://grammy.com/news/recording-academy-announces-2025-new-member-class
  23. https://www.recordingacademy.com/press-releases/2025-new-member-class-invitations-announcement
  24. https://grammy.com/news/2025-grammys-nominations-full-winners-nominees-list
  25. https://grammy.com/news/2024-grammys-nominations-full-winners-nominees-list
  26. https://www.grammy.com/artists/robert-m-jones/3417
  27. https://www.grammy.com/artists/john-berg/1692
  28. https://www.grammy.com/artists/kevin-reagan/6538
  29. https://www.grammy.com/awards/6th-annual-grammy-awards
  30. https://www.27east.com/arts/john-berg-83-remembered-for-album-art-innovation-1342954/
  31. https://www.grammy.com/awards
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