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Art Elevated: The Governor's Mansion Artist Awards
A little-known part of the state’s history, the Governor’s Mansion Artist Awards series has honored Utah’s visual, performing, and culinary artists at the historic Utah Governor’s Mansion since its inception in the late 1930s.
Originally conceived by Governor Henry H. Blood — who was purportedly looking to raise funds to secure a piano for the mansion — the artist awards have been upheld by Governors Michael Leavitt, Olene S. Walker, Jon M. Huntsman, Jr., Gary R. Herbert, and Spencer J. Cox. The series traditionally features three events per year, and serves as a fundraiser for the historic Governor’s Mansion.
2022 Awards Recipients
Season Two
2021 Awards Recipients
Season One
Season 1 Episode 1
V. Kim Martinez & Jack Ashton
Meet muralist V. Kim Martinez and former Utah Symphony violinist Jack Ashton.
Season 1 Episode 2
Good Company Theatre & Fidalis Buehler
Meet painter Fidalis Buehler and the Washington sisters from Ogden's Good Company Theatre.
More About this Limited Series
Each year, three visual artists and three performance artists are selected by the governor and first lady from a pool of nominees submitted by the Governor’s Mansion Artist Awards Committee. The awards events raise funds in support of the Governor’s Mansion Foundation’s mission to preserve and furnish the Governor’s Mansion, a beautiful historic home on South Temple in Salt Lake City that was donated to the state by the Kearns family.
Governor Spencer and First Lady Abby Cox are enthusiastically continuing this Utah tradition. With the intent of recognizing and awarding first-rate artists for life-time achievements.
As Abby Cox states, “I hope that the artists we select reflect our inclusive vision for Utah — a celebration of what makes this state beautiful, unique and diverse. We want people to be seen and feel that they belong. Everyone should have a place. We want people to feel that when they come into this home.”
This series is made possible in part by:
