Governor's Arts Awards
Established in 1982, the Governor’s Arts Awards recognize individuals, organizations, and communities that have made significant and lasting contributions to the arts in Wyoming. These awards were first made possible by an endowment from the Union Pacific Foundation in honor of Mrs. John U. Loomis, a lifelong patron of the arts. Honorees reflect the highest levels of artistic excellence, cultural impact, and statewide arts advocacy. Since its founding, the program has honored recipients from more than 50 Wyoming communities and statewide organizations.
Awardees are selected by the Governor from public nominations and recognized annually at a special ceremony in Cheyenne.
2026 Governor’s Arts Awards Nominations
2026 Nomination Window: Monday, August 3 to Thursday, October 1 at 5pm MST
The Wyoming Arts Council opened nominations for the 43rd Annual Governor’s Arts Awards on August 3, 2026. Any Wyoming citizen, organization, business, or community may be nominated for a Governor’s Arts Award (GAA). The nomination window closed on October 1, 2026 at 5pm MST.
Download a printable checklist to prepare for the nomination here.
Noted accomplishments should reflect substantial contributions that demonstrate a long-term commitment to the arts in Wyoming. Special consideration will be given to nominees whose arts service has had a statewide impact. While previous Governor’s Arts Award recipients are not eligible, the nomination of individuals or groups who were not selected in prior years is encouraged.
Save the Date
Selected recipients will be honored at a banquet on Friday, February 26, 2027 in Cheyenne at Little America Hotel & Resort.
Nomination Process
Nominations open each fall and are reviewed by the Wyoming Arts Council Board during its fourth-quarter meeting. The board evaluates submissions and recommends top candidates to the Governor, who makes the final selections.
Eligibility:
- Open to Wyoming individuals, organizations, businesses, or communities.
- Nominees must demonstrate a long-term commitment to the arts through significant impact, excellence, and leadership.
- Previous recipients are not eligible.
- Renominations of past nominees are encouraged.
- Wyoming Arts Council board members, staff, contractors, and their family members are not eligible.
43rd Annual Governor’s Arts Awards (Friday, Feb. 27, 2026)
2025 Governor’s Arts Awards honorees are:
- Community Fine Arts Center (Rock Springs) – A cornerstone cultural institution in Rock Springs, celebrated for bringing high-quality visual and performing arts to Sweetwater County through exhibitions, education, and community outreach.
- Rebecca “Becky” Larsen (Lander) – A dedicated theater director honored for more than two decades of leading the Story Hour Players, a volunteer troupe that brings live performances to more than 2,000 Fremont County students each year.
- Ernie Marsh (Lovell) – A master traditional silversmith recognized for his exceptional craftsmanship and for mentoring the next generation of makers. He is also a 2025 NEA National Heritage Fellowship recipient.
- Susan Miller (Sheridan) – An arts advocate celebrated for her longstanding leadership, philanthropy, and support of arts organizations across the state. Her work has strengthened Wyoming’s cultural landscape and elevated The Brinton Museum’s national visibility.
These honorees reflect the rich cultural heritage and artistic spirit of Wyoming. Their work continues to inspire and connect communities across the state.
Event Sponsors
Premier Sponsor: U.S. Gold Corp
Governor’s Circle Sponsors: JP Morgan • Poppy’s • Naoma Tate on behalf of the Buffalo Bill Center of the West
Advocate for the Arts Sponsors: Luthi & Voyles, LLC • Levin Strategies • bhp Images • Jackson Hole Still Works • Tallgrass
Art Ambassador Table Sponsors: Buffalo Bill Center of the West • Wyoming Arts Alliance • The Brinton Museum • Ucross Foundation • The Neltje Center • ART 321 • UW Art Museum • Nicolaysen Art Museum • Town Square Inns • UW Visual Arts Department • Mike Vanata • WY PBS • Little Ol’ Printshop • Wyoming State Parks and Cultural Resources • Cheyenne Homeschool Group • The Larsen Family • Wyoming Humanities
Patron of the Arts Sponsors: Prometheus Hyperscale • Wyoming Community Foundation
Art Enthusiast Sponsors: Wyoming International Film Festival • Albert and Sue Sommers • Lisa and Ray McElwee • Dan and Kim Dockstader
Independent Ticket Sponsors: WyoPoets • Wyoming Cultural Trust Fund Board
Previous Wyoming Governor’s Arts Award Recipients
2025: Community Fine Arts Center, Rock Springs | Rebecca “Becky” Larsen, Lander | Ernie Marsh, Lovell | Susan Miller, Sheridan
2024: Mike Kopriva, Powell | Jane Lavino, Jackson | T. Allen Lawson, Sheridan | Sue and Albert Sommers, Pinedale | Willie LeClair (Posthumous), Riverton
2023: Mike and Jane Sullivan, Casper | Mary Jane Edwards, Banner | The Munsick Boys, Dayton | Milward Simpson, Cheyenne | Geoff O’Gara, Lander
2022: Anne Mason, Laramie | Clarene Law (posthumous), Jackson | The Actor’s Mission, Rock Springs
2021: Bronwyn Minton, Jackson | Charles Belden (posthumous), Meeteetsee | Debora Soulé, Rock Springs | James Bama, Wapiti | Off Square Theatre Company, Jackson
2020: Dr. Valerie Innella Maiers, Casper | John and Nancy Schiffer, Kaycee | Margaret Wilson, Laramie | Sue Simpson Gallagher, Cody
2019: Wendy Bredehoft, Laramie | Jim Jackson, Sheridan| Robert Martinez, Riverton | WYO Theater, Sheridan | Wyoming Music Educators Association
2018: Elaine Henry, Big Horn | Karyne Dunbar, Shell | Keith Seidel, Cody | Marsha Knight, Laramie
2017: Art 321/Casper Artists Guild, Casper | Susan Moldenhauer, Laramie | Leslie O’Hashi, Cheyenne | Dr. Patrick Patton, Casper
2016: Forrest Mars Jr., Big Horn (Posthumous) | Marianne Vinich, Lander | Adam Duncan Harris, Jackson | Tim Sandlin, Jackson
2015: Cedric Reverand and Paul Taylor, Laramie | Chris Navarro and Brian Scott Gamroth, Casper | Sarah Rogers, Sundance | Hot Springs Greater Learning Foundation, Thermopolis
2014: Tom Lucas, Dubois | Zachary Pullen, Casper | Jim Wilcox, Jackson
2013: Guadalupe Barajas, Cheyenne | Babs Case, Jackson | Bar J Wranglers, Wilson | Bruce Richardson, Casper | Norma Sturges, Casper
2012: AVA Community Art Center, Gillette | Jalan Crossland, Ten Sleep | Lynn Munns, Casper
2011: Eagle Bronze Foundry, Lander | Michael C. Poulsen, Cody | Dr. Seymour Thickman, Sheridan | PALS: Promoting Arts in Lander Schools, Lander
2010: Bradford Brinton Memorial & Museum, Big Horn | Michael Masterson, Powell | Stage III Community Theatre, Casper | pARTners, Jackson | Nancy Curtis, Glendo
2009: Don Butler, Sheridan | Duane Evenson, Gillette | Naoma J. Tate, Cody | Louise Wesswick, Rock Springs | Wyoming Educators of Secondary Theatre
2008: Park County Arts Council, Cody | Jerry Palen, Saratoga | Diane Springford, Lander Tandem Productions, Sheridan
2007: Lander Community Concerts Association (now Lander Performing Arts) | Neil Hansen, Powell | Mike McClure, Lander | Tucker Smith, Pinedale
2006: Candra Day, Jackson | Razmick Sarkissian, Sheridan | Barbara Smith, Rock Springs | Creative Arts Program, Ark Regional Services, Laramie
2005: William Missouri Downs, Laramie | Neltje, Banner | Oyster Ridge Music Festival, Kemmerer | Ucross Foundation Residency Program, Clearmont
2004: All City Children’s Chorus, Cheyenne | Gaydell Collier, Sundance | Dr. Jane Leland Iverson, Cheyenne | Holly Turner, Casper
2003: Art Association, Jackson | Casper Children’s Chorale | Rod Garnett, Laramie | Susie & Mick McMurry, Casper
2002: Jo Crandall, Pinedale | John S. Giarrizzo, Powell | The Honorable Stanley K. and Mrs. Roberta “Bobby” Hathaway, Cheyenne
2001: Arts in Action, Riverton | Dr. Sloan and Anna Marie Hales, Cheyenne | The National Museum of Wildlife Art, Jackson | Ronald Steger, Laramie
2000: Dancers Workshop, Jackson | Sara Wiles, Lander | Lynne Livingston Simpson, Laramie
1999: Susie Dowler, Gillette | David Romtvedt, Buffalo | Dr. Patricia Tate, Laramie | Wind River Artists Guild & Headwaters Community Arts and Conference Center – Dubois
1998: Janet Ahlquist, Casper | Earl Sams Lightner, Jackson | Sophie Pelissier, Sheridan | Sublette County Artists Guild, Pinedale
1997: Hands in Harmony, Cheyenne | Tom Empey, Casper | Joffa and Bill Kerr, Jackson | Platte Valley Arts Council, Saratoga
1996: David B. Anderson, Douglas | Elizabeth Guheen, Clearmont | D. Michael Thomas, Buffalo
1995: Jo Campbell, Gillette | Jackson State Bank | Bud Boller, Dubois | Wyoming Writers, Inc.
1994: Buffalo Bill Center of the West (previously Buffalo Bill Historical Center), Cody | Dr. Gladys Crane, Laramie | Margaret Peck, Riverton | Wyoming State Museum, Cheyenne
1993: Ronnie Bedford, Powell | Jean Paulene Goedicke, Casper | Margaret Small Mains, Laramie | Washakie County Museum and Cultural Center, Worland
1992: William D. Weiss, Teton Village | ARTCORE, Casper | Wyoming Secondary Art Educators Association
1991: Margery Barber, Lander | William Dubois, Cheyenne | Albany County Elementary Art Program, Laramie | Key Bank of Wyoming, Cheyenne
1990: Grand Teton Music Festival, Teton Village | Harry Jackson, Cody | Eva McAdams, Fort Washakie | Wayne McIntire, Casper
1989: Peter H. Hassrick, Cody | Donald L. King, Sheridan | Ann Simpson, Cody | Cheyenne Little Theater Players
1988: Margaret Coe, Cody | George Hufsmith, Jackson | Nicolaysen Art Museum, Casper | Powder River Arts Council, Gillette
1987: Mary Back, Dubois | Mountain Bell Foundation, Cheyenne | James Boyle, Laramie | Arts Edition, Casper Star Tribune
1986: Gertrude Krampert, Casper | Elizabeth (Betsy) Taggart, Cheyenne | University of Wyoming Art Mobile, Laramie | Western Arts Trio, Laramie
1985: Symphony and Chorale Society of Cheyenne | James T. Forrest, Laramie | Harmon Watt, Riverton | KUWR Wyoming Public Radio, Laramie
1984: Casper Symphony Assocation | Rock Springs/Sweetwater County | Pamela McCool – Jackson | Stagehands of Cheyenne
1983: Union Pacific Foundation, Cheyenne | Pinedale Fine Arts Council | Charles Levendosky, Casper
1982: Unicover Corporation, Cheyenne | Fine Arts Council of Saratoga | Historical and Cultural Association | Tonia Burnette, Riverton
