Governor’s Awards in the Arts
Governor’s Awards in the Arts
Each year the Kentucky Arts Council coordinates the presentation of the Governor’s Awards in the Arts, which recognize individuals and organizations who have made extraordinary and significant contributions to the arts in Kentucky.
About the Awards
Awards go to artists, arts organizations, art critics, volunteers, schools, educators, local governments, elected officials and corporate citizens. The Kentucky Arts Council solicits nominations for these awards and coordinates the panel selection process, and the awards are presented by the Governor of Kentucky. Each year the arts council commissions a Kentucky artist to create custom works of art to serve as the awards.
2025 Governor’s Awards in the Arts Recipients
Steve Wilson and Laura Lee Brown
Jefferson County
Milner Award
The Governor’s Milner Award is awarded to individuals and organizations in Kentucky for their outstanding philanthropic or other contributions to the arts.
Sam McKinney
Menifee County
Artist Award
The Governor’s Artist Award is a Lifetime Achievement award in the arts presented to an individual and groups of artists.
Owensboro Arts Guild
Daviess County
Community Arts Award
The Governor’s Community Arts Award for Organizations is awarded to recognize outstanding interest in and support of the arts.
Education Award
Jefferson County
Wilma Bethel
The Governor’s Education Award is awarded to teachers, schools and organizations who have made significant contributions to arts in education.
Lakshmi Sriraman
Fayette County
Folk Heritage Award
The Governor’s Folk Heritage Award is awarded to individuals, groups, and organizations for their outstanding effort to perpetuate and promote Kentucky’s unique artistic traditions.
Teddy Abrams
Jefferson County
National Award
The Governor’s National Award is an achievement of national prominence awarded to individuals of, or closely related to, Kentucky.