INDIANA – Governor Mike Braun today announced that nominations are open for the 2026 Governor’s Arts Awards, the highest honor the state gives in the arts, as well as a unique opportunity to create the physical award that will be presented to awardees.
“These prestigious awards celebrate the innovators, philanthropists, public servants and more who are powering our state’s creative economy by using their talents to inspire, express themselves and improve quality of place for Hoosier families,” said Gov. Braun. “I look forward to seeing the work of these individuals and encourage Hoosiers who may know someone deserving of this honor to submit a nomination.”
The Governor’s Arts Awards were established by the Office of the Governor and the Indiana Arts Commission in 1973 to recognize significant contributions to arts and creativity in Indiana. These awards are Indiana’s highest honor in the arts, celebrating the outstanding contributions to arts and creativity on the state, national, or international level.
Potential recipients include artists, advocates, philanthropists, educators, elected officials, organizations, businesses, tourism entities, communities, schools, and libraries. Each award recipient will receive an original piece of artwork created specifically for the program by an Indiana artist and will be recognized at a Statehouse ceremony early in 2027.
The nominations for the 2026 Governor’s Arts Awards are open now and will close on October 30, 2026, 11:59 p.m. ET. The nomination form consists of a narrative, which introduces the nominee’s accomplishments and contributions, and optional support materials that further highlight the nominee.
Nominations are open to organizations or individuals who work or reside in Indiana or have significant ties to the state through some years of residency. A selection committee comprised of representatives from the Office of the Governor and the Indiana Arts Commission will review and evaluate nominations based on criteria such as depth and breadth of impact, quality of community engagement, and artistic excellence.
Read the Request for Nominations and submit a nomination.
In addition to the award nominations, the Indiana Arts Commission is seeking an artist or artist team to submit qualifications for the creation of seven custom works of art for the 2026 Indiana Governor’s Arts Awards. There are no restrictions on content, medium, or style, but each piece must reflect the purpose of the Governor’s Arts Awards to recognize outstanding achievement and contributions to arts and creativity in Indiana.
