Bob Weis, former President of Walt Disney Imagineering, will receive the 4th annual Marty & Leah Sklar Creative Visionary Award, given by Ryman Arts, this spring.
The Details
Bob Weis, whose impact on the Disney community has been tremendous, spent 35 years as an Imagineer, including 6 years as President, and a year as Imagineering Global Ambassador.
During his time at Disney, Bob led more than 200 major projects around the world. From the U.S. to Shanghai, Tokyo to Paris, his design and innovation imprint has been indelibly left on theme parks, attractions and rides, resorts, and cruise ships.
Weis announced his retirement from Disney at the end of 2022, and was honored with a window at Disney’s Hollywood Studios in 2023.
“We can think of no other individual who encapsulates the lifelong dedication to inspiring others through leadership and who is actively paving a way for future generations to be creative
visionaries for our community. Bob is the ideal person to receive the 4th annual Sklar Creative Visionary Award.” – David A. Price, Ryman Arts Board President.
The Sklar Creative Visionary Award will be presented at the Celebration of the Arts on Thursday, April 4, 2024, 5:30 – 9 PM. Grand Central Air Terminal, 1310 Air Way, Glendale, CA 91201. Tickets will be available to the public and go on sale, February 29, 2024. Details will be at RymanArts.org.
About The Award
The Marty & Leah Sklar Creative Visionary Award is presented annually to an individual of singular creative vision and leadership who has made a distinctive contribution to the creative community: illuminating, inspiring, and expanding the impact, relevance and reach of the arts through their work and creative vision.
Created in 2018, it is named for the two visionaries who were co-founders of Ryman Arts. Marty Sklar was the legendary President of Walt Disney Imagineering, leading the creation of Disney theme parks around the world. Leah Sklar has been active in community and educational initiatives throughout her life, including a key role in the development of Ryman Arts’ mission and program.
Previous honorees of this award include Kevin Feige of Marvel Studios, Hayao Miyazaki of Studio Ghibli, and Academy Award-winning costume designer Ruth E. Carter.