Governor’s Awards in the Arts

The Governor’s Awards in the Arts, administered by the Kentucky Arts Council, is a prestigious program recognizing exemplary contributions to the arts across the Commonwealth of Kentucky and beyond. This award program, which represents the highest honor the state bestows in the arts, celebrates a wide range of recipients including individuals, organizations, educators, and public officials whose work has significantly impacted the arts landscape either locally or nationally. The awards are coordinated by the Kentucky Arts Council and approved by the Governor’s Office following a panel-based nomination process. The purpose of the program is to honor those who have demonstrated outstanding dedication and support for the arts in Kentucky. Award categories include the Milner Award, Artist Award, Community Arts Award, Education Award, Folk Heritage Award, and the National Award. Each award comes with distinct eligibility criteria, tailored to recognize various dimensions of contributions to the arts, including philanthropy, community engagement, lifelong artistic achievement, educational efforts, preservation of cultural traditions, and national-level accomplishments with strong Kentucky ties. Nominations may be submitted by individuals, businesses, or organizations located inside or outside of Kentucky. Nominees, however, must meet specific geographic criteria depending on the award category. For instance, most awards require Kentucky residency or organizational presence in the state, while the National Award is open to individuals with close ties to Kentucky, even if no longer residents. Deceased individuals and past recipients are not eligible for re-nomination in any category. The Kentucky Arts Council manages both the nomination and evaluation processes. Nominations are reviewed based on how well the nominee personifies the value of the arts, supports artists and arts organizations, and meets the specific expectations of the designated award category. The panel may also reassign a nomination to a different category if the submission better aligns elsewhere. Nominees are ultimately selected by the Governor from the pool of panel-approved candidates. The 2026 nomination cycle closes at 4:30 p.m. Eastern Time on May 31, 2026. Submissions received after this deadline will not be considered. The awards ceremony is a public celebration coordinated by the Kentucky Arts Council, honoring selected recipients and advancing arts advocacy in the state. There are no funding amounts or grants awarded—this is strictly a recognition and honors program. Additional support is provided by the Kentucky Arts Council staff for potential nominators needing consultation on eligibility or submission logistics. For more information, applicants can contact Leeann Potter, Communications Director, via email at [email protected] or by phone at 502-782-5932. The general office contact number is 502-564-3757, with a toll-free line available at 1-888-833-2787. The program headquarters is located at 500 Mero St., Fifth Floor, Frankfort, KY 40601. The nomination form and additional program materials are forthcoming on the agency’s official site.