The Governor’s Arts Awards are a longstanding tradition recognizing Iowans who have made an outstanding contribution to the vitality of the arts in Iowa.
Nominations for the next Governor’s Arts Awards will open later in 2026.
History
The Governor’s Arts Awards program was established by Iowa Governor Robert D. Ray. The first awards were presented between 1971-74, shortly after the Iowa Arts Council was formed in 1967.
Over the decades, the awards have been presented to leading Iowa artists, arts organizations, educators, volunteers and patrons of the arts. The Governor’s Arts Awards represent the highest honor bestowed by the State of Iowa for achievements in the arts.
2025 Award Categories
The 2025 Governor's Arts Awards were presented in a ceremony held at the Iowa Capitol in Des Moines on April 29, 2025.
Awards were presented in the following categories:
Arts Service Award Highlight an arts service organization that has made a significant impact on the vitality of the arts in their community/region over the award period.
Arts Learning Award Highlight an individual or organization that has increased access to arts learning experiences or enhanced arts learning outcomes for K-12 students in a significant or unique way over the award period.
Emerging Arts Leader Award Showcase an emerging arts leader who has made meaningful contributions to advance the arts in Iowa within the first ten years of their professional arts career.
Arts Legacy Award Recognizes an individual, nonprofit organization or community that has had a particularly significant impact on the arts in Iowa over time. Note: posthumous nominations are eligible.
Arts Champion Award Highlight an individual, team or organization that has taken an active role in building a sustainable and thriving ecosystem for the arts in Iowa over the award period.
Heritage Award Recognizes those who preserve and elevate Iowa’s folk and traditional arts, assuring that cultural heritage remains vibrant and alive for generations to come.
Film and Media Award Recognizes those who have made a significant impact on filmmaking and the film and media industry in Iowa over the award period.
Nominations are reviewed by a panel of Iowa arts and culture professionals, who recommend awards.
Award Recipients
2025 Awards
Arts Share, Iowa City
Arts Share program in Iowa City was honored for its exceptional work in bringing performance, teaching and creative practice to communities. Arts Share has reached more than 10,000 K-12 students and 4,000 community members across Iowa over the last two years.
Craig Ihnen, West Des Moines
Craig Ihnen of West Des Moines served as executive director of the Iowa High School Speech Association for nearly three decades and was honored for his lifelong dedication to fostering artistic expression and excellence in speech and performing arts education.
City of Bondurant
The City of Bondurant has honored for its public leadership and commitment to integrating the arts into community development through bold and imaginative creative placemaking projects.
Thomas Lacina, Grinnell
Tom Lacina was honored for his leadership in advancing the Grinnell Area Arts Council as a volunteer and board member, offering his time and vision to support local artists, elevate community programming, and ensure the arts are an integral part of the community.
Sioux City Art Center
The Sioux City Art Center was honored for its Razzle Dazzle project, which engaged hundreds of local volunteers and transformed the building’s architecture into a vibrant, community-driven artwork that attracted new visitors in fall 2024.
Siriaco “Siri” Garcia, Huxley
Siriaco “Siri” Garcia of Des Moines was honored for his contributions to the visual arts and community engagement through the creation of more than 40 murals across Central Iowa.
Akwi Nji, Cedar Rapids
Akwi Nji of Cedar Rapids was recognized for her leadership in multidisciplinary arts and storytelling and collaborations with cultural and civic organizations across the state.
History Stitchers of Appanoose County, Centerville
The Appanoose County History Stitchers were recognized for their work maintaining and celebrating Iowa’s quilting traditions through the Centerville Tapestry Project, a decade-long project that celebrates the region’s history and culture.
Seso Marentes, Des Moines
Seso Marentes was honored for his dedication to preserving and sharing cultural heritage through visual and public art, cultural festivals, community engagement, and storytelling.
FilmScene, Iowa City
Iowa City’s FilmScene, Iowa’s largest non-profit cinema, was acknowledged for its contributions in cultivating a vibrant film culture in the state through educational programs, partnerships and an annual film festival.
2023 Awards
A. Alanda Gregory, Dubuque A. Alanda Gregory has helped elevate the arts and culture in Dubuque and ensure that diverse voices are heard and represented throughout the community. In 2022, Gregory was one of 53 arts leaders chosen for a national fellowship program.
Amber Danielson, Marshalltown Amber Danielson has transformed the work and impact of the Marshall County Arts & Culture Alliance. In addition to managing major public art installations and securing grants for creative community projects, Danielson played a key role in Marshalltown’s recovery from natural disasters by launching a citywide mural arts program and the community’s first Arts & Culture Master Plan.
Public Space One, Iowa City Public Space One emerged on Iowa City’s arts scene more than 20 years ago as an incubator for local creative talent. Since then it has become an essential part of the community’s social and cultural fabric, as the home to several community arts organizations.
Mainframe Studios, Des Moines Mainframe Studios has elevated Greater Des Moines and Iowa as a hub for artists and creatives. Following a campaign that concluded in 2022, Mainframe is now home to numerous non-profit arts organizations and 180 studios, providing affordable workspace for artists and creatives across all disciplines and serving as a national model.
Leon Kuehner, Hampton Leon Kuehner has served the Iowa Alliance for Arts Education for 25 years, following decades of service as a high school band director in Hampton and president of the Iowa Bandmasters Association. As a tireless advocate for the arts and arts education, Leon launched a successful mentoring program and helped envision the Iowa Fine Arts Standards.
Eastern Iowa Arts Academy, Cedar Rapids The Eastern Iowa Arts Academy was founded in 2007 in response to a need for quality, after-school arts programming in Greater Cedar Rapids. Today, the organization serves students in grades K-12 through year-round visual, performing and literary arts programs that build confidence, improve performance abilities, and enhance an appreciation of the arts.
Brucemore, Cedar Rapids Brucemore has championed the arts and history in Cedar Rapids since 1981. Brucemore’s mission became even more essential after a severe derecho devastated its historic campus in 2020. Despite sustaining losses of more than $3 million and 450 trees, Brucemore remained committed to supporting the arts and resumed performances only two weeks after the storm, providing leadership during an unprecedented time.
Robin Anderson, Mason City Robin Anderson has been a constant presence in the renaissance of downtown Mason City. From her efforts to preserve the Historic Park Inn–the only remaining Frank Lloyd Wright hotel in the world; to helping save the historic Egloff House; and to spearheading the creation of murals and annual sculpture walk, Mason City’s reputation as a cultural hotspot has flourished under Robin’s 22-year tenure as director of the Mason City Chamber of Commerce, which was recognized as National Chamber of the Year in 2022.
Jeff Fleming, Des Moines Jeff Fleming has shaped the Des Moines Art Center and Greater Des Moines over 25 years, most notably through a visionary public-private partnership that created the John and Mary Pappajohn Sculpture Park in 2009. Under Fleming’s leadership, the Des Moines Art Center has opened its doors to diverse communities; presented thought-provoking exhibitions; and upgraded its facilities.
Penny Furgerson and Gateway Dance Theatre, Des Moines Penny Furgerson has been a trailblazer in the field of multicultural arts education and performance for five decades. Following her upbringing in Bombay, India and early training in classical Indian dance, Furgerson co-founded Gateway Dance Theatre in Des Moines in 1972. Gateway Dance Theatre celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2022 and legacy of artistic creativity, accessibility and a commitment to the community.
2020 Awards
Mary Ellen Kimball of Osceola Mary Ellen Kimball of Osceola is a legend in the Iowa arts community through her decades of work and service to arts and culture across the state. She currently serves as chair of the Iowa Cultural Trust, where she has helped develop a giving model that supports more organizations with limited funds. She has served on the Iowa Arts Council Board of Trustees and is a community leader who hosts artists, leads fundraisers and ensures the arts remain vibrant in Iowa. Kimball is a gifted artist herself and has personally supported a long list of cultural and arts organizations, including Iowa Stage Theatre, Des Moines Arts Center, Des Moines Metro Opera and many more.
Northeast Iowa RC&D In 2015, Northeast Iowa Resource Conservation & Development, in partnership with the Byways of Iowa Foundation, launched the Byways of Iowa Public Art Initiative. Funded in part by a grant from the National Endowment for the Arts "Our Town" program, the Northeast Iowa RC&D hired Iowa-based artists to develop, fabricate and install unique public art pieces in 15 Iowa communities. The project was completed in 2019 with more than $250,000 raised through the support of more than 100 private, local, state and federal contributors. Together, the 16 installations create a body of art that epitomizes the culture and character of communities along Iowa's scenic byways. Learn more at bywaysofiowa.org/art.
City of Malvern Over the last few years, Malvern has evolved into a rural arts and cultural destination in southwest Iowa where tourists can experience Zack Jones' ever-evolving Project Art Church; creative businesses, including an art gallery and paintings and pottery studio; and a new mural and outdoor art. The community also attracts tourists who gather on Saturday nights for live music at the Malvern Concert Series and Market. According to the Malvern Area Betterment Association, "with three fun places to eat, including art in each location, visitors feel connected to Malvern and its people."
