Governor's Awards Archives - Kentucky Arts Council

2025 Education Award: Wilma Bethel

For more than 50 years, Wilma Johnson Bethel has shared her passion for art and creativity with generations of Kentucky students. A native of Mount Sterling, Bethel discovered her love of art at an early age, inspired by a family of makers. From early lessons in observation and imitation, she developed a lifelong belief that every person possesses the spark of creativity.

2025 National Award: Teddy Abrams

Grammy Award-winning conductor, composer, and musical visionary Teddy Abrams is now entering his twelfth season as Music Director of the Louisville Orchestra. Abrams has transformed the ensemble into a national model for artistic innovation, community engagement, and creative renewal. “By bringing new works to life in collaboration with local musicians from many genres, Abrams is … Continued

2025 Artist Award: Sam McKinney

Kentucky sculptor Sam McKinney has shaped the artistic landscape of the commonwealth. A native of eastern Kentucky, McKinney’s work reflects a profound reverence for the natural world and for the Appalachian region that has inspired him throughout his life. His career stands as a testament to both artistic mastery and enduring dedication to the craft.

2025 Milner Award: Steve Wilson & Laura Lee Brown

Entrepreneurs, philanthropists, and champions of contemporary art and Kentucky culture, Steve Wilson and Laura Lee Brown have redefined how art can intersect with community, hospitality, and conservation. Wilson and Brown have become leading benefactors for cultural and environmental organizations across Kentucky and beyond. Their work continues to inspire new generations to imagine what’s possible when … Continued

2025 Community Arts Award: Owensboro Art Guild

Founded in the early 1960s by a group of artists and educators seeking connection and shared purpose, the Owensboro Art Guild began with a simple idea: to support one another and to present high-quality art to the public. That vision gave rise to its first juried exhibition in 1963, held in a vacant house on … Continued

2025 Folk Heritage Award: Lakshmi Sriraman

An accomplished Bharatanatyam dancer, choreographer, educator, and visual artist, Lakshmi Sriraman has spent her life preserving and reimagining the traditional arts of South India while enriching Kentucky’s cultural landscape. Through performance, teaching, and community engagement, she has become a bridge between ancient artistic traditions and contemporary expression, embodying the transformative power of art as both a spiritual and social force.

Nominations open for 2025 Governor’s Awards in the Arts

The Kentucky Arts Council is accepting nominations through May 31 for the 2025 Governor’s Awards in the Arts. The awards recognize individuals and organizations that have made extraordinary and significant contributions to the arts in Kentucky. The nomination process is coordinated by the arts council, and more information about the process is available here: https://artscouncil.ky.gov/program/governors-award-in-the-arts-nominations/ … Continued

Nominations open for 2025 Governor’s Awards in the Arts

The Kentucky Arts Council is accepting nominations through May 31 for the 2025 Governor’s Awards in the Arts. The awards recognize individuals and organizations that have made extraordinary and significant contributions to the arts in Kentucky. The nomination process is coordinated by the arts council, and more information about the process is available here. Eligibility … Continued

2024 National Award: Tyler Childers

Childers’ deep-rooted connection to his home state significantly influences his songwriting, often exploring themes related to coal mining—an homage to his father's profession—and shedding light on the experiences of communities in eastern Kentucky.

2024 Media Award: Owensboro Messenger-Inquirer

Coverage and promotion of the local arts community has long been a priority of the Messenger-Inquirer, and they continue to maintain a reporter dedicated to the coverage of the arts. 

2024 Government Award: Carl M. Brashear Radcliff Veterans Center

The Carl M. Brashear Radcliff Veterans Center is dedicated to serving Kentucky’s veterans by fostering independence, preserving dignity, and providing compassionate care. Located in Radcliff, Kentucky, this state veterans home features 120 beds and operates under the Community Living Center (CLC) model, offering all private suites with private baths. The facility is designed with a … Continued

2024 Folk Heritage Award: Cheryl Pan

Cheryl Pan is a distinguished dance artist renowned for her extensive professional training in Chinese classical and folk dances. After years of rigorous training in China, she has dedicated her career to teaching various Chinese ethnic dances, many of which are rarely seen in the United States. Pan has taught hundreds of children and adults … Continued

2024 Education Award: The Louisville Academy of Music

The Louisville Academy of Music has made a lasting impact on the musical landscape of the city, teaching music to thousands of students over its 70 years. Founded in 1954 by Robert French, the Louisville Academy of Music began in an apartment on Bardstown Road, offering vocal and instrumental lessons. The Academy later moved to … Continued

2024 Community Arts Award – Individual: Jeffrey A. Reed

Jeffrey A. Reed, music director of Orchestra Kentucky since its founding in 2000, blends classical and popular music, creating authentic experiences that celebrate the soundtracks of music’s greatest decades. His programming spans from the 17th century to the present, honoring milestones and anniversaries of composers such as Beethoven, Mahler, and Stravinsky, alongside icons like Elvis, … Continued

2024 Community Arts Award – Organization: Yes Arts

Founded in 2016, Yes Arts is a community-focused organization dedicated to providing high-quality, low-cost, or subsidized arts programming. By partnering with local artists and community organizations, Yes Arts aims to mobilize the power of community and the arts to disrupt the cycle of addiction and support those at risk of substance use disorders. Yes Arts … Continued

2024 Artist Award: Gregory Turay

Internationally acclaimed tenor Gregory Turay has captivated audiences around the globe with his powerful voice and remarkable artistry. With a career spanning over 20 years, Turay has earned some of the highest accolades in the opera world, establishing himself as a leading figure in the genre. Turay’s repertoire includes many of opera’s most beloved roles, … Continued

2024 Milner Award: Mark Lenn Johnson

Mark Lenn Johnson is the president of Art Inc. Kentucky, a nonprofit arts incubator dedicated to supporting emerging artists across the state. Under his leadership, Art Inc. has transformed from a visionary concept into a thriving brick-and-mortar reality in Lexington’s East End. The organization provides professional development assistance, offering entrepreneurial classes covering a range of … Continued

2024 Award Artist: Yoko Nogami

The 2024 Governor Awards in the Arts commissioned artworks were created by Yoko Nogami, an interdisciplinary artist born and raised in Tokyo, Japan. Currently residing in Letcher County, Kentucky, she is a prominent advocate for arts education and accessibility. Nogami serves as the Cultural Arts & Education Director with Cowan Community Action Group, Inc., while … Continued