Who will receive a 2017 Governor’s Arts Award?
By Suzanne Lynch, Director of Marketing and Development –
On March 17, 2015, the Governor’s Arts Awards were held at the Executive Residence in Nashville. During a moving and reflective ceremony, the Governor and First Lady Haslam awarded Tennessee’s highest honor in the arts to 10 recipients who represent the best in arts and culture in Tennessee.
The 2015 recipients were:
- Folklife Heritage Award: Bill Henry, Whittler & Woodworker, Oak Ridge
- Folklife Heritage Award: Jack Martin, Hockaday Handmade Brooms, Selmer
- Arts Leadership Award: Bill May, Arrowmont School of Arts and Crafts, Gatlinburg
- Arts Leadership Award: Scott Niswonger, Philanthropist, Greeneville
- Arts Leadership Award: Stax Museum of American Soul Music, Memphis
- Distinguished Artist Award: Mary Costa, Opera Singer, Knoxville
- Distinguished Artist Award: Dr. Bobby Jones, Gospel Musician, Nashville
- Distinguished Artist Award: B.B. King, Blues Singer-Songwriter, Memphis
- Distinguished Artist Award: Loretta Lynn, Country Music Singer-Songwriter, Hurricane Mills
- Distinguished Artist Award: Cormac McCarthy, Novelist, Knoxville
(Photography by Shawn Millsaps)
The Governor’s Arts Awards are one way we can as a state truly celebrate the talent and contributions of our most acclaimed artists and arts leaders. The next Governor’s Arts Awards will be held in early 2017. Who would you like to see receive this honor? Nominations are being accepted until July 22. Visit the Governor’s Arts Award webpage for details.
