After more than half a century, the Grammy Awards are reinstating a category dedicated to album cover art, celebrating the visual artists behind music releases. The 68th Grammy Awards, scheduled for February 1, 2026, at the Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, will mark the first time in 53 years that this award will be presented. The ceremony will be broadcast on CBS and streamed via Paramount+.
This new category recognizes the significant contributions of art directors, designers, illustrators, and photographers to the visual identity of albums. The Recording Academy's decision highlights the impact of cover art in the digital age and aims to recognize more of the artists that shape music. According to Recording Academy CEO Harvey Mason jr., this split from the best recording package category is an effort to recognize the impact of cover art in the digital age.
This year's nominees showcase the collaborative spirit and creative innovation driving the resurgence of album art. Nominees include the artwork for albums such as "Moisturizer" by Wet Leg, "Deb Tirar Ms Fotos" by Bad Bunny, and "Chromakopia" by Tyler, the Creator. Each nomination underscores the collaborative approach and creative process behind album covers.
For Wet Leg's "Moisturizer," the album cover inspiration came from a collection of eclectic objects and a weekend of brainstorming visuals. Lead singer Rhian Teasdale, who art-directed the cover with Iris Luz and Lava La Rue, explained, "I wanted it to be something that was both super girly and feminine, but then, at the same time, just totally repulsive". She added, "That juxtaposition, I don't know, it just creates something that's evocative".
Neil Krug, nominated for his work on Djo's "The Crux," emphasized the impact of a successful album cover, stating, "When a cover in a campaign hits right, it's part of the language and the fabric of what makes a great record a great record". William Wesley II, the art director for "The Crux," described the process as a joint effort, noting, "Everything is intentional," and "It's really a sum of its parts and it's the sum of many people's contributions".
Other nominated artists, like Luis “Panch” Perez, discussed the importance of an "unspoken language" between photographer and subject. Perez noted, "Tyler knows exactly how to move his body, he's so well in control of that. I just have to be ready for whatever he's going to do in front of the lens". Cody Critcheloe, who photographed the cover for Perfume Genius' "Glory", said, “It was mostly about an energy,”. “People have said to both of us that they can't figure out what the aesthetic of the album cover is,” he added. “That's the best thing to hear”.
The eligibility period for the award runs from August 31, 2024, to August 30, 2025. The last time the category appeared was in 1973, when it was awarded to The Siegel-Schwall Band for their self-titled album. In recent years, album covers had been assessed as part of the best recording package category, which considers all physical materials and images. In 2025, Charli XCX’s "Brat" earned Brent David Freaney and Imogene Strauss a Grammy for its distinctive cover.
The reintroduction of the Best Album Cover Grammy highlights the significance of visual art as a key part of the listening experience. The Recording Academy has also announced the creation of a best traditional country album category, while the existing best country album category has been renamed best contemporary country album.
