46th Oklahoma Governor's Arts Awards
Since 1975, the Governor's Arts Awards has recognized hundreds of individuals and organizations who have gone above and beyond to impact the arts in communities and schools. The awards are presented every two years by the Governor of Oklahoma during a special ceremony at the State Capitol.
Oklahoma Lieutenant Governor Matt Pinnell joined the Oklahoma Arts Council on Tuesday, January 20, 2026, at the Oklahoma State Capitol to recognize 21 individuals and organizations for their outstanding efforts in the arts.
The Masonic Charity Foundation of Oklahoma (MCFOK) was an honoree, receiving the Business in the Arts Award. There to accept the award was Grand Master Don Stanton.
MCFOK was nominated for this award by the Oklahoma Alliance for Arts Education, which puts on the Oklahoma Education Awards for Arts Excellence every year at the Scottish Rite in Guthrie. They were so excited to nominate us for this award, and we are very thankful for their kindness in highlighting our impact in the arts across the state of Oklahoma.
An archival video of the event was produced that you can access and watch at any time on the Oklahoma Arts Council’s YouTube channel at: https://youtu.be/rInHcDm7xdc?si=jQof-44w1njksKIw.
For more information about the awards, please visit the Oklahoma Art Council’s website: https://www.arts.ok.gov/Our_Programs/Governors_Arts_Awards.html
List of all the 46th Oklahoma Governor's Arts Awards Honorees:
The Governor's Award - Recognizes individuals for longtime leadership and significant contributions to the arts across Oklahoma.
Jean Ann Fausser (Tulsa)
Glenna and Richard Tanenbaum (Oklahoma City)
Business in the Arts Award - Recognizes businesses/corporations who exhibit outstanding support of the arts in Oklahoma.
Masonic Charity Foundation of Oklahoma (Edmond)
The Springer Company (Oklahoma City)
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.
Brenda Alexander (Woodward)
Jennifer Baker (Norman)
Lisa Coulter (Tishomingo)
Vicki Gelona (Ardmore)
Mariana Llanos (Oklahoma City)
Susan Mueller (Bartlesville)
Community Service Award - Recognizes individuals for significant contributions to the arts in specific Oklahoma communities in the areas of leadership and volunteerism.
John Bedford (Norman)
Hal French (Edmond)
Brian Horton (Broken Arrow)
Lauren Green (Bartlesville)
ShIronbutterfly Ray (Muskogee)
Jabee Williams (Oklahoma City)
Media in the Arts Award - Recognizes an individual member in the media who demonstrates commitment to the arts in Oklahoma documented through public awareness support and fairness, initiative, creativity and professionalism in reporting.
Jim Johnson, KGOU Radio (Norman)
Abbie de Vera, KOTV – News on 6 (Tulsa)
George Nigh Public Service in the Arts Award - Recognizes an Oklahoma government official for outstanding support of the arts.
Tim Gatz, Executive Director, Oklahoma Department of Transportation (El Reno)
Special Recognition Award
Oklahoma Music Educators Association (Statewide)
The Questers Cimarron Chapter 1195 (Edmond)
