On Wednesday, March 23, 2016, arts supporters from across the state gathered in downtown Phoenix to celebrate the best in Arizona’s arts and culture community and the magnificent contributions they’ve made to the state’s arts and cultural heritage. Presented by the statewide arts advocacy organization Arizona Citizens for the Arts in partnership with the Office of the Governor, the 35th Annnual Governor’s Arts Awards added seven new honorees to the list of over 175 distinguished Arizona artists, arts organizations, businesses, educators, and individuals recognized for their passion, creativity and devotion to the excellence and diversity of Arizona’s arts and cultural community since the first ceremony in 1981.
2016 Governor’s Arts Award Honorees
The Shelley Award: David Saar
Artist: Annie Lopez
Arts Ed, Organization: Release The Fear
Arts Ed, Individual: Joe Maniglia
Small Business: Canyon Records
Large Business: Arizona Public Service – APS
Community: Museum of Northern Arizona
Individual: Susan Gamble
The Arizona Commission on the Arts congratulates each of these worthy honorees, and thanks them and their fellow nominees for all that they do to create, support, and increase access to opportunities for Arizona’s residents to participate in and experience the arts.
