The Oklahoma Arts Council has announced the names of 21 individuals and organizations that will be honored for their contributions to the arts during the 46th Oklahoma Governor’s Arts Awards on Tuesday, January 20, 2026.
The awards will be presented by Lieutenant Governor Matt Pinnell with Oklahoma Arts Council Chair Barbara Braught and Oklahoma Arts Council Executive Director Amber Sharples during a special ceremony beginning at 4:00 p.m. in the fourth-floor rotunda at the Oklahoma State Capitol. A reception will follow in the second-floor rotunda. The event is free and open to the public.
“The Governor’s Arts Awards reminds us how deeply creativity is woven into the fabric of Oklahoma,” said Lt. Governor Matt Pinnell. “This year’s honorees represent the very best of our state—people and organizations whose talent, leadership, and service strengthen our communities and help tell Oklahoma’s story to the world. It is an honor to celebrate their contributions and the enduring impact of the arts across our state.”
“With the 46th Oklahoma Governor’s Arts Awards ceremony taking place in 2026, it coincides with the 250th birthday year of our nation, serving as a reminder the arts’ enduring role as a source and symbol of the strengths of our people,” Oklahoma Arts Council Executive Director Amber Sharples said. “In this group of honorees, we see relentless devotion to community, consequential commitment to career, and audacious pursuit of vision. Our honorees possess qualities that often define the spirit of the arts and our state as much as the soul of our nation. We look forward to celebrating their work.”
Recipients are selected from submitted nominations by the Governor’s Arts Awards Selection Committee, comprised of members of the Governor-appointed Oklahoma Arts Council.
The Governor’s Award recognizes longtime leadership and significant contributions to the arts. The honorees are:
Jean Ann Fausser (Tulsa)
Glenna and Richard Tanenbaum (Oklahoma City)
The Business in the Arts Award recognizes individuals, businesses, and corporations that exhibit outstanding support of the arts in Oklahoma. The honorees are:
Masonic Charity Foundation of Oklahoma (Edmond)
The Springer Company (Oklahoma City)
The Arts in Education Award recognizes an individual, organization, school, educator, or group for their outstanding leadership and service in the arts benefiting youth and/or arts in education. Honorees are:
Brenda Alexander (Woodward)
Jennifer Baker (Norman)
Lisa Coulter (Tishomingo)
Vicki Gelona (Ardmore)
Mariana Llanos (Oklahoma City)
Susan Mueller (Bartlesville)
The Community Service Award recognizes significant contributions to the arts in specific Oklahoma communities in the areas of leadership and volunteerism. Honorees are:
John Bedford (Norman)
Hal French (Edmond)
Brian Horton (Broken Arrow)
Lauren Green (Bartlesville)
ShIronbutterfly Ray (Muskogee)
Jabee Williams (Oklahoma City)
The Media in the Arts Award recognizes members of the media who demonstrate commitment to the arts in Oklahoma documented through public awareness support and fairness, initiative, creativity, and professionalism in reporting. The honorees are:
Jim Johnson, KGOU Radio (Norman)
Abbie de Vera, KOTV – News on 6 (Tulsa)
The George Nigh Public Service in the Arts Award recognizes Oklahoma government officials for their outstanding support of the arts. The honoree is:
Tim Gatz, Executive Director, Oklahoma Department of Transportation (El Reno)
A Special Recognition Award recognizes an individual or organization that has made unique contributions in support of the arts. The honoree is:
Oklahoma Music Educators Association (Statewide)
The Questers Cimarron Chapter 1195 (Edmond)
