2025 Mayor's Awards for Excellence in Arts & History

Presented every two years, the Mayor's Awards for Excellence in Arts & History celebrate people, organizations, and businesses that contribute to Boise's creative and cultural community. Award recipients must have demonstrated distinguished service, creative accomplishment, and a record of publication, presentation or research that enhances Boise's artistic, historic, and broader cultural life.

Join Boise Mayor Lauren McLean and the Boise City Department of Arts & History on Thursday, September 18, 2025 at 6 p.m. in the Pioneer Room at Jack's Urban Meeting Place (JUMP) to recognize distinguished service in the following categories:

Excellence in the Arts

• Ballet Idaho – Professional Ballet Company
• Frank Goitia – Visual Artist, Painter
• Serenata Orchestra – Community Orchestra

Excellence in History

• Gwyn Hervochon – Associate Professor and Archivist, Albertsons Library, Boise State University

Excellence in Education

• Alex Sjobeck, Derek Ganong, and the Gene Harris All-Stars Jazz Program at Boise State University – After-school program designed for high school students

Support of the Cultural Sector

• Esther and Skip Oppenheimer – Community Members

Emerging Artist

• Hallie Maxwell – Interdisciplinary Artist

Lifetime Achievement

• Mark Hofflund – Managing Director, Idaho Shakespeare Festival

On the same evening, Mayor McLean will announce the next City of Boise Cultural Ambassador for 2026 and 2027. Learn more.

EVENT SCHEDULE

• 5:30 p.m. Doors open & No-host Bar Service
• 6:00 p.m. Performances by Pendulum Early Music and Story Story Night
• 6:30 p.m. Awards Ceremony
• 8:30 p.m. Social Hour

The evening will feature performances by Pendulum Early Music and Story Story Night. Evening host and music by KRVB - 94.9 The River's Tim Johnstone. Dinner catered by Thomas Cuisine Management. No host bar.

TICKETS

• General Admission: $45 | Child (under the age of 12): $15
• Sponsored Table (seats 8): $550

For more information, email [email protected] or call (208) 608-7050.

Accessibility

In our commitment to engaging everyone, the City of Boise is actively removing barriers to participation, including for our residents with disabilities and those who prefer a language other than English. If you need an accommodation to access City of Boise’s services, programs, or activities, please contact us at [email protected] or 208-972-8500 (TTY 800-377-3529).

En nuestro compromiso por lograr la participación de todos, la Ciudad de Boise está eliminando activamente las barreras a la participación, incluso para nuestros residentes con discapacidades y aquellos que prefieren un idioma distinto del inglés. Si necesita una adaptación para acceder a los servicios, programas o actividades de la Ciudad de Boise, póngase en contacto con nosotros en [email protected] o en el 208-972-8500 (TTY 800-377-3529).

Host or Publisher Boise City Dept. of Arts & History