2026 Governor's Arts Awards

Come honor artists, arts educators, patrons and arts supporters during the Governor’s Arts Awards at noon March 13 at the Robinson Center in Little Rock.

Tickets to attend the luncheon are $40 each. The deadline to purchase tickets is February 24. Doors open at 11 a.m.

Governor’s Arts Awards recipients are nominated by the public, then selected by an independent panel of arts professionals from around the state. Nominees are judged, in part, on the significance of their contributions and achievements in the arts.

The 2026 awardees are:

• Michael Fothergill of Little Rock | Arts Community Development Award
• Corey Alderdice of Hot Springs | Arts in Education Award
• The Northwest Arkansas Mall | Corporate Sponsorship Award
• Kay Thomas of Mountain View | Folklife Award
• Sheila Holland Cotton of Little Rock | Individual Artist Award
• Al "Papa Rap" Lopez of Rogers | Judges Recognition Award
• The Frueauff Family of Little Rock | The Patron Award

For more information, email [email protected].

Established in 1991, the annual Governor's Arts Awards program recognizes Arkansas artists, arts patrons, arts educators, arts organizations and businesses for their outstanding contributions to the arts community. Recipients are nominated by the public, then selected by an independent panel of arts professionals from around the state. Each recipient receives an original work of art created by an Arkansas artist.

The Arkansas Arts Council, an agency of Arkansas Heritage, which is a division of the Arkansas Department of Parks, Heritage and Tourism, advances and empowers the arts in Arkansas. The agency supports and perpetuates cultural, educational and economic opportunities in the arts for the benefit of all Arkansans.

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Host or Publisher Arkansas Department of Parks, Heritage and Tourism