April 2, 2025

Nominations open for 2025 Governor’s Awards to recognize and honor Alaskans’
contributions to the arts and humanities

The Alaska State Council on the Arts (ASCA), the Alaska Humanities Forum (the Forum), the Alaska Arts
and Culture Foundation, the Anchorage Museum, and the Office of the Governor are seeking nominations
for the annual Governor’s Arts and Humanities Awards in eight categories.

These awards recognize and honor Alaskans whose noteworthy contributions to the arts and humanities
have made a lasting impact on Alaska's social, economic, and civic life. They highlight individuals and
organizations that have helped strengthen communities by forging connections between people across race,
class, and cultural divides; those that have furthered traditional Alaska Native language or culture; and those
that have contributed to a better understanding of the world, one another, and the human experience. 

This year, the Anchorage Museum has joined the GAHA partnership, and will host the October 2025
celebration for the second year in its Auditorium. “We are pleased to be a co-host of the Governor's Arts and
Humanities Awards alongside the Alaska Humanities Forum and the Alaska State Council on the Arts,” says
Julie Decker, Director/CEO of the Anchorage Museum. “These awards celebrate contributions of individuals
and organizations who enrich our state through creativity, culture, and compassion. Honoring these
achievements is a reminder of the deep connections that bind us together as Alaskans and recognizes the
many visionaries who make our communities stronger.”

Benjamin Brown, Chairman of the Alaska State Council on the Arts, noted, “Alaska is uniquely blessed to
have so many individuals and organizations who share their leadership skills, talents, and vision with all
other Alaskans. In times of unprecedented dynamic change, known and unknown challenges, and sudden
surprises, it is more important than ever to recognize and applaud the good work and transformative
contributions of these essential people and institutions. I strongly encourage Alaskans to think about those
they know who deserve recognition, and to submit a nomination accordingly.”

Educators, researchers, culture bearers, community leaders, artists, businesses, and engaged citizens have
all been recognized since the awards were created in 1968. Recipients have included well-established
Alaskans who have stepped up and made an impact in our communities and in our state through their talent,
vision, and passion. This year, the partners have also decided to introduce a new award recognizing the
work of up-and-coming visionaries: the Rising Humanities Award.

“We’re especially excited about the new Rising Humanities Award, so we can recognize emerging people
who are already making an impact,” says Ben Mallott, Chair of the AKHF Board of Directors. “Every year we
are thrilled to honor individuals and organizations doing the incredibly meaningful work of strengthening
communities across our state through their service in education, leadership and community.”

Nominations by the public are accepted from April 1 through May 16, 2025 online at akgovawards.org. We
will be holding a celebration of the awardees at the Anchorage Museum on Oct. 28, 2025.

2025 Award Categories:

Alaska State Council on the Arts will accept nominations for these 4 awards:

• Margaret Nick Cooke Award for Native Arts and Languages: The Alaska Native Arts
  award recognizes those who have advanced traditional Alaska Native language or culture
  through their work, or significantly improved the preservation, perpetuation, and active
  practice of Alaska Native arts.
• Individual Artist Award: Awarded based on artistic leadership, distinction and merit;
  Recognition of artistic contribution to the state or community through previous honors and
  awards, reviews or articles; Longevity of impact to state or community.
• Arts Business Leadership Award: This award recognizes an individual or business for
  longstanding dedication to or significant and successful impact on the arts in Alaska.
• Government Leadership in the Arts Award: Recognizes established arts organizations
  and individuals whose contributions to the arts enhance the state.

Alaska Humanities Forum will accept nominations for these 4 awards:

• Education: This award recognizes an Alaska individual or organization that has helped
  strengthen communities by contributing to a better understanding of the world, one
  another, and the human experience.
• Leadership: This award recognizes an Alaska individual or organization that has helped
  strengthen communities through their commitment to improve Alaska's social, economic,
  and civic life. 
• Community: This award recognizes an Alaska individual or organization that has helped
  strengthen communities by forging connections between people across race, class, and
  cultural divides.
• Rising: This award recognizes an emerging Alaska individual or organization whose work
  connecting Alaskans through stories, ideas and experiences is already making a profound
  impact on our communities.

Please note that current ASCA or Forum Council / Board members, staff or prior Award recipients
are not eligible.

For further details about each of the awards and to access the online nomination form, please
visit akgovawards.org