Arizona’s statewide arts advocacy organization, Arizona Citizens for the Arts, announces the nominees for the 2017 Governor’s Arts Awards. The awards recognize outstanding achievement and contributions to the Arizona arts community by Arizona artists, arts organizations, businesses, educators, and individuals.

The Governor’s Arts Awards are presented annually by Arizona Citizens for the Arts, in partnership with the Office of the Governor of Arizona to honor not only the creative talents of Arizona’s diverse arts and cultural community, but the passion of those who support the arts in Arizona’s schools and communities. The winners will be announced at the 36th annual Governor’s Arts Awards to be held May 4, 2017 at The Phoenician Resort, Scottsdale.

And the nominees are…

Artist Award

This award recognizes an Arizona artist of significant merit, leadership or reputation whose creations or contributions enrich the state and the field of the arts. This category is open to artists of all artistic disciplines.

Connie Brannock, Tucson
William Clipman, Tucson
Bobb Cooper, Phoenix
Maria Isabel Delgado, Chandler
Liliana Gomez, Phoenix
Michael Harrelson, Phoenix
Katherine Josten, Tucson
Deborah McMillion Nering, Phoenix
Claudine Morrow, Page
Kirk O’Hara, Mesa
Alfred Quiroz, Tucson
Dennis Rowland, Phoenix
Marilyn Szabo, Phoenix
Mike Vax, Dewey

Business | Small

This award recognizes small, private businesses (1-99 employees), that have demonstrated significant support locally or statewide, through a contribution of time, energy, personnel, expertise and/or financial support or by participation in activities which foster excellence in, appreciation of, or access to the arts.

Arizona Copper Art Museum, Clarkdale
Art Intersection, Gilbert
Galiano’s Cafe, Douglas
LDVinci Art Studio, Chandler
Partridge and Associates CPA’s, Scottsdale
SoSco Duo, Fountain Hills
Tucson Clay Co-op, Tucson

Business | Large

This award recognizes large, private businesses (100+ employees), that have demonstrated significant support locally or statewide, through a contribution of time, energy, personnel, expertise and/or financial support or by participation in activities which foster excellence in, appreciation of, or access to the arts.

Alliance Bank of Arizona, Phoenix
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona, Phoenix
Casino Del Sol Resort, Tucson
DMB Associates Inc., Scottsdale
Sanderson Lincoln, Phoenix

Arts in Education | Individual

This award recognizes, educators, teaching artists, school administrators or school volunteers that have demonstrated significant support or participation in activities which foster excellence in, appreciation of, or access to arts education in the State of Arizona.

David Andres, Tucson
Dr. Mary Erickson, Tempe
Lori Lyford, Chandler
Dennis Ott, Sedona
Carol Sottosanti, Tucson

Arts in Education | Organization

This award recognizes a nonprofit arts organization or a school that has demonstrated significant support for or participation in activities fostering excellence in, appreciation of, or access to arts education in the State of Arizona.

Arizona Art Education Association, Mesa
Capoeira Mandinga Tucson, Tucson
Children’s Museum of Phoenix, Phoenix
Metropolitan Youth Symphony, Mesa
Osborn School District, Phoenix
Phoenix Children’s Chorus, Phoenix
Sonoran Glass School, Tucson
Superstition Review, Mesa
Tucson Museum of Art Education Department (TMALearn), Tucson
University of Arizona Museum of Art, Tucson
Willcox Historic Theatre Preservation, Inc., Willcox
Young Arts Arizona Ltd., Phoenix

Community

This award recognizes an organization that has demonstrated significant support or participation in activities which foster excellence in, appreciation of, or access to arts in the State of Arizona.

Arizona Theatre Company, Phoenix & Tucson
BlackBox Theatre Foundation, Casa Grande
Del E. Webb Center for the Performing Arts, Wickenburg
Mesa Arts Center, Mesa
Phoenix Center for the Arts, Phoenix
Phoenix Chorale, Phoenix
Scottsdale Philharmonic, Scottsdale
Sedona Arts Center, Sedona
Sierra Vista Symphony Association, Sierra Vista
The Torch Theatre, Phoenix
Fountain Hills Cultural & Civic Association Public Art Collection, Fountain Hills
Theatre Artists Studio, Scottsdale
Warehouse Arts Management Organization, Tucson

Individual

This award recognizes an individual for significant contributions to the arts in Arizona in the areas of arts leadership and personal commitment of time and talent.

Lili DeBarbieri, Tucson
Yvonne Ervin, Tucson
Eric Faulhaber, Chandler
Charles & Laurie Goldstein, Paradise Valley
Lin Ling Lee, Phoenix
Lisa Lovallo, Tucson
Hope H. Ozer, Paradise Valley
Dr. Ruth Tan Lim, Mesa

Philanthropy

This award recognizes extraordinary philanthropic leadership through the contribution of financial resources to non-profit arts and culture organizations, and by encouraging the philanthropic support of others.

Judith Hardes, Phoenix
Vern Lewis, Goodyear
Connie McMillin, Sun City
Steena Murray, Chandler
Jody Summerford, Phoenix
Mary Way, Paradise Valley