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For Immediate Release

Media Contact
Joel Gavin
Director of Marketing and Communications
Oklahoma Arts Council
(405) 521-2037
joel.gavin@arts.ok.gov

Oklahoma City - The Oklahoma Arts Council today announced the names of thirteen individuals and five organizations that will be honored for their contributions to the arts at the 36th Annual Governor’s Arts Awards.

The honors will be awarded on November 15 during a presentation ceremony at the Oklahoma state Capitol. The ceremony will begin at 4 p.m. in the 4th Floor Rotunda. A reception on the first floor of the Capitol will follow the ceremony. The event is free and open to the public.

Oklahoma Arts Council executive director, Suzanne Tate said she is pleased to honor recipients from Oklahoma communities around the state. “From Alva and Red Rock to Norman and Tulsa, the arts are thriving throughout Oklahoma because of these individuals and organizations.”

Governor’s Arts Awards recipients are selected from submitted nominations by members of the Governor’s Arts Awards Selection Committee. This year’s honorees include:

The Governor's Award recognizes longtime leadership and significant contributions to the arts. Honorees are:

Howard and Billie Barnett, Tulsa
Peggy Wisdom, Alva

Business in the Arts Award recognizes individuals, businesses and corporations that exhibit outstanding support of the arts in Oklahoma. The honoree is:

Gary Clinton, Norman.

Media in the Arts Award is given to an individual member of the media or media outlet that demonstrates commitment to the arts in Oklahoma documented through public awareness, support, fairness, initiative, creativity and professionalism in reporting. Honorees are:

KGOU Radio, Norman.
OklaVision, Oklahoma City

The Arts in Education Award recognizes an individual, organization, school, educator or group for their outstanding leadership and service in the arts benefitting youth and/or arts in education. Honorees are:

Anne Guevara, Oklahoma City
Jena Kodesh, Red Rock
OK Mozart, Bartlesville
The Children’s Center, Bethany

The Community Service Award recognizes individuals for significant contributions to the arts in specific Oklahoma communities in the areas of leadership and volunteerism. Honorees are:

Don Jordan, Oklahoma City
Jody Naifeh, Sapulpa
Marie Alley, Norman
Pat Snider, Shawnee

George Nigh Public Service in the Arts Award recognizes an Oklahoma government official or entity for outstanding support of the arts. The honoree is:

The Oklahoma Judicial Center Art Committee, Oklahoma City.

A Special Recognition Award recognizes an individual or organization that has made a unique contribution in support of the arts. The honoree is:

Patrick Riley, Bethany

The Marilyn Douglass Memorial Award recognizes an outstanding Arts Council member and was established in 1980, in honor of Marilyn Douglass, a former council member. The honoree is:

Kym Koch Thompson, Oklahoma City

The Liddy Doenges Leadership in the Arts Award

Suzanne Tate, Oklahoma City

For more information please contact Joel Gavin, director of marketing and communications at (405) 521-2037 or joel.gavin@arts.ok.gov.

About the Oklahoma Arts Council
The Oklahoma Arts Council is the official state agency for the support and development of the arts in Oklahoma. The Council’s mission is to lead, cultivate and support a thriving arts environment, which is essential to quality of life, education and economic vitality for all Oklahomans.

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