The Governor's Arts Awards like you've never experienced them before.
Every two years, the Indiana Arts Commission and Office of the Governor team up to celebrate and uplift individuals and organizations that have made significant contributions to the state through the arts. We're excited to bring the show to you this year! Join us virtually to celebrate with our award recipients and explore the Indiana towns they call home.
2020 Governor's Arts Awards Recipients
Jim Bodenmiller, Advocate, West Lafayette
Michael Cleveland, Musician, Henryville
Hurley Goodall, Advocate, Muncie
John Green, Author, Indianapolis
Harrison Center for the Arts, Organization, Indianapolis
Amy Oelsner, Musician, Bloomington (Emerging Artist Award)
Robert and Barbara Stevens, Advocates, Columbus
The Indiana Governor's Arts Awards is produced by the Indiana Arts Commission, which receives support from the Indiana General Assembly and the Nationals Endowment for the Arts. Additional support for the Indiana Governor's Arts Awards is provided by the Office of the Governor and Arts Midwest.
Donations from the Indiana Governor's Arts Awards benefit the Indiana Arts Trust. Donations to the Arts Trust endowment not only contribute to an established long-term trust but, along with funds from the IAC’s appropriation from the Indiana General Assembly, supports one exemplary Arts Project Support grant in each county across the state.
- About the Nomination Process
The Governor’s Arts Award (GAA) Planning Committee is responsible for the review of award nominations, and the selection of recipients and award alternates. Anyone may make a GAA nomination, including IAC commissioners, staff, and planning committee members provided the nomination follows all guidelines stipulated in the nomination form. These individuals should restrict their involvement in consideration of that specific nominee to only answering questions that may assist the committee in its review process. All committee members are eligible to vote on all nominees; including those they may have submitted for nomination.
- Eligibility
The Governor’s Arts Awards are open to any individual, group, organization, business or community that has made a significant contribution to or positive impact on the growth, awareness, and strength of the arts in Indiana. Individuals nominated for the award must be, or have been residents of the State of Indiana. Organizations and businesses nominated for the award must either have headquarters or operations in Indiana. Current members and staff of the Indiana Arts Commission, members of the awards selection committee, and their families are not eligible to receive a Governor’s Arts Award or create the award.
- 2021 Awards Presentation
The Indiana Arts Commission (IAC) hired Tilt 23, a group of talented Hoosier filmmakers, to hit the road and record each recipient accepting the award in his/her hometown in a place that shows the strength and joy of arts and creativity. Along the way, we collected b-roll of all the places in-between to demonstrate that no matter where you are in Indiana, all roads lead to art.
The original stream of the award was presented on Mandolin.
Hannah Lindgren Producer Tilt 23 David Neidert Producer Tilt 23 Jozef Caldwell Sound mixing for Amy O Russian Recording, Bloomington, IN Natalie Glidewell Project Manager Mandolin Featuring:
Eric Holcomb Governor State of Indiana Janet Holcomb First Lady State of Indiana DeMaris Gaunt Artist Award creator Jim Bodenmiller Advocate Award recipient Tetia Lee Tippecanoe Arts Federation On behalf of Jim Bodenmiller Michael Cleveland Musician Award recipient; Michael Cleveland and Flamekeeper Nathan Livers Musician Michael Cleveland and Flamekeeper Josh Richards Musician Michael Cleveland and Flamekeeper Chris Douglas Musician Michael Cleveland and Flamekeeper Jasiah Shrode Musician Michael Cleveland and Flamekeeper Cherrish Pryor State Representative On behalf of Hurley Goodall Julius Anderson Advocate On behalf of Hurley Goodall Carl Schafer Gordy Fine Art and Framing On behalf of Hurley Goodall Debbie Webb Project Coordinator, Andersontown Powwow Arts Trust License Plate Project Michelle Skeen Treasurer, Andersontown Powwow Arts Trust License Plate Project John Green Author Award recipient Trent Cowles Harrison Center for the Arts Award recipient Joanna Taft Harrison Center for the Arts Award recipient Barbara Stevens Advocate Award recipient Robert Stevens Advocate Award recipient Cathy Ferree Indiana State Museum and State Historic Sites On behalf of Barbara and Robert Stevens Amy Oelsner Musician Award recipient; Amy O Erin Tobey Musician Amy O Damion Schiralli Musician Amy O Nathan Vollmar Musician Amy O Special thanks:
Michele Holtkamp Office of Governor Eric Holcomb Alec Gray Office of Governor Eric Holcomb Ethan Lawson Office of Governor Eric Holcomb Howard Steamboat Museum Michael Cleveland filming location Fairbanks Art & Nature Park at Newfields John Green filming location Gordy Fine Arts and Framing Hurley Goodall filming location Ball State University Hurley Goodall filming location Tippecanoe Arts Federation Jim Bodenmiller filming location Landlocked Records Amy Oelsner filming location T.C. Steele State Historic Site Bob and Barbara Stevens filming location Harrison Center for the Arts Harrison Center for the Arts filming location