The MTV Video Music Award for Best Art Direction is a craft award given to both the artist as well as the art director of the music video. From 1984 to 2006, the award's full name was Best Art Direction in a Video, and after a brief removal in 2007, its name was shortened to its current form starting in 2008. The biggest winners are K. K. Barrett and Jan Houllevigue, both of whom won this award twice.

The most nominated art director is Tom Foden, who was nominated five times between 1993 and 2021. Closely following him are Charles Infante, Laura Fox, and K. K. Barrett with four nominations each; and Bryan Jones and Nigel Phelps with three.

The performer whose videos have won the most awards is Red Hot Chili Peppers. However, Madonna's videos have received the most nominations with six.

No performer has won a Moonman in this category for their work as an art director. Jamie Hewlett, Jack White, SZA and A$AP Rocky are the only performers to have been nominated as their videos' art directors in this category.

Recipients

1980s

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| and Godley & Creme

| "Rockit"

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| "The Boys of Summer"

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| "Rough Boy"

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| "Sledgehammer"

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| and Mick Edwards

| "Hourglass"

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| and Vance Lorenzini

| "Express Yourself"

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1990s

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| "Love Shack"

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| "Losing My Religion"

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| and Robertino Mazati

| "Give It Away"

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| "Rain"

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| "Heart-Shaped Box"

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| "Scream"

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| and Wayne White

| "Tonight, Tonight"

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| "The New Pollution"

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| "Bachelorette"

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| "Doo Wop (That Thing)"

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2000s

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| "Californication"

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| "Weapon of Choice"

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| "Trouble"

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| "There There"

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| "Hey Ya!"

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| "What You Waiting For?"

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| "Dani California"

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| and Kells Jesse

| "Run"

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| "Paparazzi"

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2010s

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| and Aldene Johnson

| "Dog Days Are Over"

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| "Rolling in the Deep"

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| "Wide Awake"

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| "Q.U.E.E.N."

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| "Reflektor"

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| and Jason Fijal

| "So Many Pros"

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| "Blackstar"

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| "HUMBLE."

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| Jan Houllevigue and the Louvre

| "Apeshit"

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| John Richoux

| "7 Rings"

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2020s

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| Christian Stone

| "Mother's Daughter"

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| Alec Contestabile

| "Best Friend"

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| Alex Delgado

| "Industry Baby"

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| Spencer Graves

| "Attention"

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| Brittany Porter

| "Boa"

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| Wesley Goodrich

| "Abracadabra"

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Art Director Statistics

Multiple wins

;2 wins

  • Jan Houllevigue
  • K. K. Barrett
  • Spencer Graves

Multiple nominations

;5 nominations

  • Tom Foden

;4 nominations

  • K. K. Barrett
  • Laura Fox

;3 nominations

  • Alexander Delgado
  • Brittany Porter
  • Bryan Jones
  • Charles Infante
  • Ethan Tobman
  • Nigel Phelps

;2 nominations

  • Benji Bamps
  • Godley & Creme
  • Happy Massee
  • Jan Houllevigue
  • Jan Peter Flack
  • Jason Fijal
  • Jason Kisvarday
  • Jim Blashfield
  • John Richoux
  • José Montaño
  • Kim Colefax
  • Kristen Vallow
  • Lynn-Maree Milburn
  • Michel Gondry
  • Nicholas des Jardins
  • Regan Jackson
  • Spencer Graves
  • Steven Barron
  • Tatiana Van Sauter
  • Teri Whittaker
  • Vance Lorenzini
  • Zach Matthews

Artist Statistics

Multiple wins

;3 wins

  • Red Hot Chili Peppers

;2 wins

  • Doja Cat
  • Lady Gaga
  • Madonna

Multiple nominations

;6 nominations

  • Lady Gaga
  • Madonna
  • Taylor Swift

;5 nominations

  • Beyoncé

;4 nominations

  • Aerosmith
  • Katy Perry

;3 nominations

  • Adele
  • Björk
  • Charli XCX
  • Doja Cat
  • Drake
  • Janet Jackson
  • Kanye West
  • Kendrick Lamar
  • Lana Del Rey
  • Lil Nas X
  • Megan Thee Stallion
  • Missy Elliott
  • Red Hot Chili Peppers
  • R.E.M.

;2 nominations

  • Bruno Mars
  • Coldplay
  • Dua Lipa
  • Eminem
  • Faith No More
  • George Michael
  • Gnarls Barkley
  • INXS
  • Janelle Monáe
  • Michael Jackson
  • Miley Cyrus
  • Nine Inch Nails
  • Rihanna
  • SZA
  • The White Stripes
  • Thirty Seconds to Mars
  • TLC

Notes

References