Governor's Awards for Excellence in the Arts

Celebrating the Significance of the Arts in the State of New Mexico

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.

2023 Governor's Arts Awards

The New Mexico Department of Cultural Affairs (NMDCA) and New Mexico Arts (NMA) are proud to recognize a diverse group of worthy individuals for the 2023 Governor's Awards for Excellence in the Arts.

2023 Award Recipients:

• Paula Castillo, Visual Artist, Belén
• J.C. Cervantes, Author, Las Cruces
• Raven Chacon (Diné), Musician, Composer and Artist, Albuquerque
• Judy and Ray Dewey, Major Contributors to the Arts, Albuquerque
• Jim Harris, Major Contributor to the Arts, Hobbs
• Patricia Michaels (Taos Pueblo), Fashion Designer, Taos
• Mark Ian Saxe, Stone Sculptor, Dixon
• Judy Tuwaletstiwa, Visual Artist, Galisteo

2023 Awards Celebration

There will be an in-person awards ceremony on 10/20 from 5:00-7:00 pm at the St. Francis Auditorium at the New Mexico Museum of Art in Santa Fe. Governor’s Arts Award recipients from 2022 and 2023 will be recognized at this event.

In addition, there will be an exhibition of work and information about the 2023 Governor's Arts Awards recipients in the Governor's Gallery on the fourth floor of the New Mexico State Capitol.
The exhibition opening reception will be on 10/20 from 2:00-3:30pm and the reception is hosted by the Women's Board of the Museum of New Mexico. The exhibition will be in the Governor’s Gallery until 12/29/2023.

Donations can be made at https://www.nmartsfoundation.org/donations

2021 and 2022 Governor's Arts Awards

The New Mexico Department of Cultural Affairs (NMDCA) and New Mexico Arts (NMA) were proud to recognize a diverse group of worthy individuals for the 2021 and 2022 Governor's Awards for Excellence in the Arts.

2022 Award Recipients:

• Julia M. Barello
• Eva Enciñias
• Arthur López
• Beverley Spears
• Tom and Bev Taylor
• Rosemary Wilkie
• Karen Yank
• Angie Yazzie

2021 Award Recipients:

• Edward "Gus" Foster
• Ricardo Caté
• Susan Contreras
• Dave Grusin
• Kathleen Wall
• gallupARTS
• The Spencer Theater for the Performing Arts

View a complete list of past Governor's Arts Awards recipients here.