The Leonardo Award 2024 - Dr. Ed Catmull
We believe in each person’s infinite potential, and that everyone has the innate ability to tap into the same genius that defines Leonardo da Vinci’s lasting legacy: curiosity and making connections between ideas and pieces of knowledge that lead to new insights and innovation.
In this spirit, we annually present The Leonardo Award to an individual who has demonstrated a lifelong sense of curiosity and learning, and whose work inspires the creative potential in others. The award reflects the museum’s dedication to supporting both individual achievement, as well as the transformative impact individuals can have on their communities. Award recipients are remarkable in their own right, and for the ways in which they affect positive change. They follow in the footsteps of the museum and award’s namesake – Leonardo da Vinci—who said: “I have been impressed with the urgency of doing. Knowing is not enough; we must apply. Being willing is not enough; we must do.”
Join us this year as we honor Ed Catmull, a co-founder of Pixar Animation Studios and former president of Pixar and Walt Disney Animation Studios, not to mention a graduate of the University of Utah’s College of Engineering, as well as a five-time Academy Award winner. Dr. Catmull embodies the ethos of The Leonardo through his interdisciplinary achievements, commitment to fostering creativity and education, visionary leadership, and lasting impact on society. His career and contributions exemplify the blend of art and science.
Past recipients of The Leonardo Award include: Medical device pioneer and civic leader Fred Lampropoulos; environmental advocate and action star Jackie Chan; pioneering bioengineer and distinguished professor Dr. Steven Jacobsen; Dr. Christopher Johnson, distinguished professor of computer science, pioneer in scientific imaging and computing and founder of the Scientific Computing and Imaging Institute at the University of Utah, Dr. Nalini Nadkarni, an ecologist, ground-breaking researcher on ecosystem ecology, who believes that science is for all; and last year’s award, Nobel Laureate Dr. Mario Capecchi.
We look forward to celebrating the impact of innovation and creativity with you!