Governor’s Arts Awards

The biennial Governor's Arts Awards is Nebraska's premier event in recognizing individuals and organizations that shape our state's artistic landscape. The impact of the arts, and these honorees, is felt in the classroom, the economy and the community. 

Click here for event photos and awardee videos (2018)

• Nominee Criteria

  Please review the award nominee criteria before submitting your nominations.
• Nomination Form

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Award Categories:

Emerging Leader

Awarded to an individual artist, arts administrator, patron or volunteer under the age of 35, or someone who has made a significant impact on the arts in Nebraska in a short period of time.

Excellence in Arts Education

An individual, school district or community organization that has made a long-term, outstanding contribution to arts education in the Nebraska.

Heritage Arts

Awarded to an individual, group or organization that exemplifies authenticity and excellence within a cultural tradition.

Organizational Achievement

Awarded to an arts organization that has demonstrated a consistently high level of excellence in programming and outreach.

Outstanding Artist

Awarded to an individual artist practicing in any discipline whose work or career has made a significant contribution to their art form and to the state of Nebraska.

Thomas C. Woods III Partner in the Arts

Awarded to an individual, business, school district or community organization that has shown outstanding commitment by its continued support of the arts through time, energy, expertise and/or financial support.

Leonard Thiessen Award

Awarded by the board of the Nebraska Arts Council for extraordinary contributions to the arts for the state of Nebraska.