The Governor’s Arts & Heritage Awards recognize Washington’s outstanding arts and cultural leaders, artists, culture bearers, and organizations. ArtsWA administers the awards on behalf of the Governor.
The Washington State Arts Commission (ArtsWA) is proud to announce the 2024 Governor’s Arts & Heritage honorees. Spanning seven award categories, including a new category for Tribal Arts & Culture, the honorees encompass carving, painting, hip-hop, woodturning, and children’s programming. This year, thanks to support from the Governor and the State Legislature, honorees will now receive one-time funding to support their work.
🏆 Arts Champion Award: Pearl Jam
The Arts Champion Award recognizes an individual or organization that has shown extraordinary commitment to the vitality of arts & heritage in Washington State.
🏆 Tribal Arts and Heritage Award: Philip H. Red Eagle
The Tribal Arts and Heritage Award recognizes any individual, organization, or group whose work has made significant contributions to the vitality, understanding or preservation of Tribal arts and culture in Washington State.
🏆 Organization Award: 206 Zulu
🏆 Organization Award: Look, Listen & Learn
The Organization Award recognizes an organization who has made significant contributions to Washington’s arts landscape or its cultural heritage. ArtsWA names 2 awardees for this category.
🏆 Community Impact Award: Inspire Washington
The Community Impact Award recognizes an individual, organization, or group that has dedicated significant time and effort to positively impact the creative economy, the arts, or cultural heritage in their local community.
🏆 Educator Award: Danh T. Pham
The Educator Award recognizes an individual who has provided outstanding instruction in creative practice or cultural heritage.
🏆 Young Leader Award: Dennis Robinson Jr.
The Young Leader Award recognizes an individual between the ages of 18 and 35 who has shown outstanding impact through artistic practice or cultural heritage activities.
🏆 Legacy Award: Consuelo Soto Murphy
The Legacy Award recognizes an individual who has shown outstanding impact through creative practice or cultural preservation for at least 20 years.
🏆 Individual Award: John Furniss
🏆 Individual Award: Joe Feddersen
The Individual Award recognizes an individual who has made significant contributions to Washington’s arts landscape or its cultural heritage. ArtsWA names 2 awardees for this category.
The panel for the 2024 Governor’s Arts & Heritage Awards comprised of ArtsWA commissioners and creative professionals from across the state:
We invite you to watch the recording of the 2023 Governor’s Arts & Heritage Awards from November 15, 2023. Celebrate with us as we honor the nine extraordinary honorees who are working to keep arts and heritage vibrant across Washington State.
🏆 Individual Award: Lino Tagliapietra
🏆 Individual Award: Ginny Ruffner
🏆 Organization Award: Urban ArtWorks
🏆 Organization Award: Sequim City Band
🏆 Young Leader Award: Collin J. Pittmann
🏆 Educator Award: Dr. Ashley DeMoville
🏆 Community Impact Award: Allied Arts of Whatcom County
🏆 Legacy Award: Dr. Paul-Elliott Cobbs
🏆 Arts & Heritage Champion Award: Mimi Gardner Gates
We invite you to watch a special virtual presentation of the 2022 Governor’s Arts & Heritage Awards. Meet the nine extraordinary honorees who are working to keep arts and heritage vibrant across Washington State.
🏆 Individual Artist | Yegizaw (Yeggy) Michael
🏆 Organization | One Reel
🏆 Legacy | Robb Hunt
🏆 Advocacy | Dow Constantine
🏆 Community Organization | MusicWorks4Veterans
🏆 Individual | Yvonne A.K. Johnson
🏆 Individual | Carol Emarthle-Douglas
🏆 Individual | Deepti Agrawal
🏆 Organization | Historic Lincoln Theatre
The 2021 Governor’s Arts & Heritage Luminary Awards streamed live on Thursday, January 13 at 7:00 p.m. PST on YouTube. We invite everyone to enjoy this free presentation.
ArtsWA is thrilled to announce the 2021 Governor’s Arts & Heritage Luminary Award honorees.
Spotlight honoree | The Governor’s Spotlight award is given to an individual chosen by the Governor for their extraordinary use of the arts and humanities to benefit their community during the pandemic. Join us in celebrating:
Governor’s Spotlight | Delbert Richardson
Regional honorees | These exceptional individuals and organizations used the arts and humanities to shine a light for their communities during the darkness of the pandemic. Join us in celebrating:
Southwest Region | Organization – Asia Pacific Cultural Center
Southwest Region | Individual – Douglas Orr
Central Region | Organization – Gallery One
Eastern Region | Organization – Spokane Valley Summer Theatre
Eastern Region | Individual – Jeremy Whittington
Northwest Region | Organization – Path with Art
Northwest Region | Individual – Akuyea Karen Vargas
Thank you to everyone who sent in a nomination. Your stories revealed the amazing arts-based work being done to lift people up across the state.
The Governor’s Arts Awards, established in 1966, recognize outstanding individuals and organizations for their significant contributions to the arts and cultural development of Washington State.
The Governor’s Heritage Awards, established in 1989, honor outstanding individuals and organizations whose dedication to preserving and promoting traditions and cultural heritage are worthy of state recognition.
Questions?
Michael Wallenfels, Communications Manager | michael.wallenfels@arts.wa.gov | 360.252.9831
Kalei Matsui, Arts in Education Program Coordinator for technical support | kalei.matsui@arts.wa.gov
