Seven artists and organizations from New Mexico have been selected for the 2025 Governor’s Awards for Excellence in the Arts, as announced by Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham. The awards recognize achievements across music, sculpture, painting, dance, interdisciplinary art, poetry, and arts education.
"Each of these artists tells a part of New Mexico’s story—our Indigenous heritage, our Western traditions, our multicultural identity,” Lujan Grisham said. “Together, they create a tapestry that reflects the full beauty and complexity of who we are as New Mexicans.”
The honorees include Peter “Amahl” Amaral, a musician from Albuquerque known for his work with The New Mexico Jazz Workshop; Kevin Box, a sculptor from Cerrillos recognized for transforming paper designs into metal sculptures; Alden Timothy Cox (Tim Cox), a painter whose work depicts contemporary Western life; Keshet Dance Company & Center for the Arts in Albuquerque for their community-focused arts programming; Cannupa Hanska Luger of Glorieta for interdisciplinary art rooted in Indigenous innovation; Nacha Mendez (Margarita Cordero) from Santa Fe for her contributions to music and mentorship; and Connie Voisine of Las Cruces for her accomplishments in poetry.
The awards are organized by the Office of the Governor along with the New Mexico Department of Cultural Affairs through its agencies New Mexico Arts and the New Mexico Arts Commission. These bodies collaborate each year to honor those who represent outstanding artistic achievement within the state.
Recipients will be recognized at events scheduled in October. An award ceremony is set for October 16 at St. Francis Auditorium at the New Mexico Museum of Art in Santa Fe. There will also be an exhibition featuring works by this year’s recipients at the Governor’s Gallery on the fourth floor of the Roundhouse beginning that same day.
Since its creation in 1974 by then-Governor Bruce King and First Lady Alice King, the Governor’s Awards have highlighted contributions made by artists and arts supporters to both cultural identity and economic life in New Mexico. Over time, many individuals working across various artistic fields—including painting, weaving, sculpture, dance, music, storytelling, poetry, acting, playwriting, and pottery—have been honored through these awards. More information about past recipients can be found at https://nmarts.org/all-programs/governors-arts-awards.
