Governor’s Arts Awards
Governor’s Awards for Excellence in the Arts
Celebrating the Significance of the Arts in the State of New Mexico
This year marks the 50th anniversary of the awards which celebrate the diversity of New Mexico’s cultural and artistic traditions, in addition to celebrating new and innovative forms of artistic expression. The awards recognize the important work that arts supporters and contributors contribute to the state, and who passionately ensure the arts are available and accessible in their communities.
The Governor’s Awards for Excellence in the Arts were established in 1974 by then Governor Bruce King and First Lady Alice King to celebrate the significance of the arts to the State of New Mexico. Nominations are accepted from interested individuals and art organizations statewide culminating in an exhibition and awards ceremony each year when the Governor acknowledges the extraordinary achievements and contributions of New Mexican artists, arts organizations, and arts supporters.
2024 Awards Celebration
New Mexico Arts will host a pair of events in October to recognize this year’s recipients of the Governor’s Awards for Excellence in the Arts. An awards ceremony will be held on Thursday, Oct. 10, 5:00 p.m. at the St. Francis Auditorium at New Mexico Museum of Art. An exhibition of work from the 2024 recipients will be on display in the Governor’s Gallery on the fourth floor of the Roundhouse beginning Friday, Oct. 11 with an opening reception from 2:00 – 3:30 p.m.
The Governor’s Awards for Excellence in the Arts are presented by NMAC (New Mexico Department of Cultural Affairs) and NMA—the state arts agency and a division of NMDCA. This year’s Awards are made possible in part by major contributions from the Gale Family Foundation, Catherine Oppenheimer, the Dale and Leslie Chihuly Foundation, Thornburg Investment Management, the New Mexico Music Commission, Lensic 360, and the members of the NMAC.
View a complete list of past Governor’s Arts Awards recipients here:
2024 Award Recipients
Ellen & Robert Vladem, Major Contributors, Santa Fe
Jock Soto (Navajo), Dancer, Eagle’s Nest
Pamela Shirinne Smith, Book Arts, Abiquiu
Arlo Namingha (Tewa/Hopi), Visual Artist, Santa Fe
Ross Kagan Marks, Major Contributor, Las Cruces
Diana Ingalls Leyba, Major Contributor, Silver City
John Garret, Visual Artist, Las Cruces
2023 Award Recipients
Judy and Ray Dewey, Major Contributors to the Arts, Albuquerque
Page header image, New Mexico State Capital. Program button image, Patricia Michaels receives the 2023 Governor’s Award from Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham and New Mexico Arts Commission Chair, Nancy Cooper.
