Governor Laura Kelly and the Kansas Arts Commission announce the recipients of the 2025 Kansas Governor's Arts Awards.
Among the recipients was The Artificers Gallery in Bourbon County. The Artificers was recognized for Excellence in the Arts in Business. The Fort Scott gallery aims to provide a warm and inviting place to host artistic diversity in Bourbon County. This was one of seventeen awards given out on Thursday at a ceremony held at the Topeka Zoo and Conservation Center.
The prestigious Governor's Award was also given out at the ceremony. That award went to Grammy and Oscar Award winning musician and Leavenworth native Melissa Etheridge.
Nominations for each award are reviewed and chosen by a selection committee while the Governor's Award is chosen by Governor Kelly.
This year’s award categories and recipients are:
- Excellence in Artistic Achievement in Media Arts: Kiki Bush, Gypsum
- Excellence in Artistic Achievement in Music: Bob McWilliams, Lawrence
- Excellence in Artistic Achievement in Visual Arts: Shin-hee Chin, McPherson
- Arts Advocacy: Brenda Meder, Hays
- Arts Patron of the Year: Paul Dorrell, Roeland Park
- Excellence in Arts Education: Tyler Dallis, Pratt
- Excellence in the Arts in Business: The Artificers, Fort Scott
- Emerging Arts Leader of the Year: Lacey Connell, Overland Park
- Emerging Arts Organization of the Year: LV Arts, Leavenworth
- Rural Arts Community of the Year: Clay Center
- Urban Arts Community of the Year: NOTO Arts & Entertainment District, Topeka
- Arts Leader of the Year: Katy Guthrie, Garden City
- Arts Organization of the Year: Theatre in the Park, Overland Park
- Arts Legacy Award: Constance “Connie” Bonfy, Wichita
- Arts Legacy Award: Cecil Riney, Wichita
- Arts Legacy Award: NedRa Bonds, Kansas City
- The Governor’s Award: Melissa Etheridge, Leavenworth
To learn more about the Kansas Arts Commission, their programs or art resources, visit this link.
