Grammy Award for Best Recording Package

Template:Short description Template:Use mdy dates Template:Infobox award 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.

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{{#if:[I]|[I]|[1]}}	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	Template:Smalldiv	<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
1959	Robert M. Jones	Shostakovich: Symphony No. 5	Howard Mitchell (conducting the National Symphony Orchestra)	Template:Smalldiv	<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}Template:Dead link</ref>
1961	Marvin Schwartz	Latin ala Lee!	Peggy Lee	Template:Smalldiv	<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}Template:Dead link</ref>
1962
	Best Album Cover – Other Than Classical				<ref name=":0">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
	Jim Silke	Judy at Carnegie Hall	Judy Garland	Template:Smalldiv
	Best Album Cover – Classical
	Marvin Schwartz	Puccini: Madame Butterfly	Gabriele Santini	Template:Smalldiv
1963
	Best Album Cover – Other Than Classical				<ref name=":1">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
	Robert M. Jones	Lena... Lovely and Alive	Lena Horne	Template:Smalldiv
	Best Album Cover – Classical
	Marvin Schwartz	The Intimate Bach	Laurindo Almeida, Virginia Majewski & Vincent DeRosa	Template:Smalldiv
1964
	Best Album Cover – Other Than Classical				<ref name=":2">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
	John Berg	Template:Sort	Barbra Streisand	Template:Smalldiv
	Best Album Cover – Classical
	Robert M. Jones	Puccini: Madama Butterfly	Erich Leinsdorf	Template:Smalldiv
1965
	Best Album Cover – Other Than Classical				<ref name=":3">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
	Robert Cato and Don Bronstein	People	Barbra Streisand	Template:Smalldiv
	Best Album Cover – Classical
	Robert M. Jones and Jan Balet	Template:Sort	Arthur Fiedler conducting the Boston Pops	Template:Smalldiv
1966
	Best Album Cover, Graphic Arts				<ref name=":4">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
	George Estes and James Alexander	Bartók: Concerto No. 2 for Violin/Stravinsky: Concerto for Violin	Joseph Silverstein & Erich Leinsdorf conducting the Boston Symphony Orchestra	Template:Smalldiv
	Best Album Cover, Photography
	Robert M. Jones and Ken Whitmore	Jazz Suite on the Mass Texts	Paul Horn	Template:Smalldiv
1967
	Best Album Cover, Graphic Arts				<ref name=":1967">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
	Klaus Voormann	Revolver	The Beatles	Template:Smalldiv
	Best Album Cover, Photography
	Robert M. Jones and Les Leverette	Confessions of a Broken Man	Porter Wagoner	Template:Smalldiv
1968
	Best Album Cover, Graphic Arts				<ref name=":5">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
	Peter Blake and Jann Haworth	Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band	The Beatles	Template:Smalldiv
	Best Album Cover, Photography
	John Berg, Bob Cato, and Rowland Scherman	Bob Dylan's Greatest Hits	Bob Dylan	Template:Smalldiv
1969	John Berg, Richard Mantel, and Horn/Griner Studio	Underground	Thelonious Monk	Template:Smalldiv	<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
1970	Evelyn J. Kelbish and David Stahlberg	America the Beautiful	Gary McFarland	Template:Smalldiv	<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
1971	Robert Lockhart and Ivan Nagy	Indianola Mississippi Seeds	B. B. King	Template:Smalldiv	<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
1972	Gene Brownell and Dean O. Torrence	Pollution	Pollution	Template:Smalldiv	<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
1973	Acy Lehman and Harvey Dinnerstein	Template:Sort	The Siegel-Schwall Band	Template:Smalldiv	<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
1974	Wilkes & Braun	Tommy	London Symphony Orchestra and Chambre Choir	Template:Smalldiv	<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
1975	Ed Thrasher and Christopher Whorf	Come & Gone	Mason Proffit	Template:Smalldiv	<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
1976	Jim Ladwig	Honey	Ohio Players	Template:Smalldiv	<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
1977	John Berg	Chicago X	Chicago	Template:Smalldiv	<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
1978	John Berg	Love Notes	Ramsey Lewis	Template:Smalldiv	<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
1979	Johnny Lee and Tony Lane	Boys in the Trees	Carly Simon	Template:Smalldiv	<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
1980	Mike Doud and Mick Haggerty	Breakfast in America	Supertramp	Template:Smalldiv	<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
1981	Roy Kohara	Against the Wind	Bob Seger & The Silver Bullet Band	Template:Smalldiv	<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
1982	Peter Corriston	Tattoo You	The Rolling Stones	Template:Smalldiv	<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
1983	Kosh and Ron Larson	Get Closer	Linda Ronstadt	Template:Smalldiv	<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
1984	Robert Rauschenberg	Speaking in Tongues	Talking Heads	Template:Smalldiv	<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
1985	Janet Perr	She's So Unusual	Cyndi Lauper	Template:Smalldiv	<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
1986	Kosh and Ron Larson	Lush Life	Linda Ronstadt	Template:Smalldiv	<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
1987	Eiko Ishioka	Tutu	Miles Davis	Template:Smalldiv	<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
1988	Bill Johnson	King's Record Shop	Rosanne Cash	Template:Smalldiv	<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
1989	Bill Johnson	Tired of the Runnin'	The O'Kanes	Template:Smalldiv	<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
1990	Roger Gorman	Sound + Vision	David Bowie	Template:Smalldiv	<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
1991	Len Peltier, Jeff Gold, and Suzanne Vega	Days of Open Hand	Suzanne Vega	Template:Smalldiv	<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
1992	Vartan	Template:Sort	Billie Holiday	Template:Smalldiv	<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
1993	Melanie Nissen	Spellbound	Paula Abdul	Template:Smalldiv	<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
1994	David Lau	Template:Sort	Billie Holiday	Template:Smalldiv	<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
1995	Buddy Jackson	Tribute to the Music of Bob Wills and the Texas Playboys	Asleep at the Wheel	Template:Smalldiv	<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
1996	Robbie Cavolina and Joni Mitchell	Turbulent Indigo	Joni Mitchell	Template:Smalldiv	<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
1997	Andy Engel and Tommy Steele	Ultra-Lounge (Leopard Skin Sampler)	Various Artists	Template:Smalldiv	<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
1998	Hugh Brown, Al Q, and Jeff Smith	Titanic: Music As Heard on the Fateful Voyage	Various Artists	Template:Smalldiv	<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
1999	Kevin Reagan	Ray of Light	Madonna	Template:Smalldiv	<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
2000	Ray Benson, Sally Carns, and Buddy Jackson	Ride With Bob	Asleep at the Wheel	Template:Smalldiv	<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
2001	Kevin Reagan	Music	Madonna	Template:Smalldiv	<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
2002	Stanley Donwood and Tchocky	Amnesiac (Special Limited Edition)	Radiohead	Template:Smalldiv	<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
2003	Kevin Reagan	Home	Dixie Chicks	Template:Smalldiv	<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
2004	Ani DiFranco and Brian Grunert	Evolve	Ani DiFranco	Template:Smalldiv	<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
2005	Peter Buchanan-Smith and Dan Nadel	A Ghost Is Born	Wilco	Template:Smalldiv	<ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref>
2006	Aimee Mann and Gail Marowitz	Template:Sort	Aimee Mann	Template:Smalldiv	<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
2007	Adam Jones	10,000 Days	Tool	Template:Smalldiv	<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
2008	Zachary Nipper	Cassadaga	Bright Eyes	Template:Smalldiv	<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
2009	Bruce Duckworth, Sarah Moffat and David Turner	Death Magnetic	Metallica	Template:Smalldiv	<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
2010	Stefan Sagmeister	Everything That Happens Will Happen Today	David Byrne & Brian Eno	Template:Smalldiv	<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
2011	Michael Carney	Brothers	The Black Keys	Template:Smalldiv	<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
2012	Caroline Robert	Template:Sort<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	Arcade Fire	Template:Smalldiv	<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
2013	Michael Amzalag & Mathias Augustyniak	Biophilia	Björk	Template:Smalldiv	<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
2014	Sarah Dodds and Shauna Dodds	Long Night Moon	Reckless Kelly	Template:Smalldiv	<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
2015	Jeff Ament, Don Pendleton, Joe Spix, and Jerome Turner	Lightning Bolt	Pearl Jam	Template:Smalldiv	<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
2016	Sarah Dodds, Shauna Dodds & Dick Reeves	Still the King: Celebrating the Music of Bob Wills and His Texas Playboys	Asleep at the Wheel	Template:Smalldiv	<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
2017	Jonathan Barnbrook	Blackstar	David Bowie	Template:Smalldiv	<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
2018	Carlos Dussan, Juliana Jaramillo, Juan Martinez & Claudio Roncoli	El Orisha De La Rosa	Magín Díaz	Template:Smalldiv	<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
	Sasha Barr, Ed Steed & Josh Tillman	Pure Comedy (Deluxe Edition)	Father John Misty
2019	Willo Perron	Masseduction	St. Vincent	Template:Smalldiv	<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
2020	Barry Ament, Jeff Ament, & Joe Spix	Chris Cornell	Chris Cornell	Template:Smalldiv	<ref>2020 Grammy Awards nominations list</ref>
2021	Doug Cunningham & Jason Noto	Vols. 11 & 12	The Desert Sessions	Template:Smalldiv	<ref>2020 Nominations List</ref>
2022	Li Jheng Han & Yu Wei	Pakelang	2nd Generation Falangao Singing Group & The Chairman Crossover Big Band	Template:Smalldiv	<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
2023	Chun-Tien Hsiao & Qing-Yang Xiao	Beginningless Beginning	Tamsu-Kavalan Chinese Orchestra	Template:Smalldiv	<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
2024	Rottingdean Bazaar (Luke Brooks & James Theseus Buck) and Annie Collinge	Stumpwork	Dry Cleaning	Template:Smalldiv	<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
2025	Charlotte Aitchison, Brent David Freaney & Imogene Strauss	Brat	Charli XCX	Template:Smalldiv	citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Multiple wins

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

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