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College of six photos from past ND Governor's Awards from the Arts: 1977: Governor Art Link; 1991: Governor George Sinner and Rosemary Landsberger; 1995: Governor Ed Schafer and James D. Ployhar; 2003: Governor John Hoeven, First Lady Mikey Hoeven, and Mary Louise Defender Wilson; 2011: Governor Jack Dalrymple, First Lady Betsy Dalrymple, and Carol Hart of Northern Lights Arts Council; 2023: Governor Doug Burgum with Empire Arts Center;

(Photo) 1977: Governor Art Link; 1991: Governor George Sinner and Rosemary Landsberger; 1995: Governor Ed Schafer and James D. Ployhar; 2003: Governor John Hoeven, First Lady Mikey Hoeven, and Mary Louise Defender Wilson; 2011: Governor Jack Dalrymple, First Lady Betsy Dalrymple, and Carol Hart of Northern Lights Arts Council; 2023: Governor Doug Burgum with Empire Arts Center


The North Dakota Governor’s Awards for the Arts have been a hallmark of artistic achievement since their inception in 1977. Jointly presented by Governor Arthur A. Link and the ND Council on the Arts and Humanities at the Seven Seas Motel in Mandan, the awards began as an annual event but shifted to a biennial schedule after 1983. Over the years, the program has celebrated 98 recipients for their exceptional contributions to the arts across the state.

The awards honor individuals, organizations, schools, businesses, and foundations that expand access to the arts, elevate artistic experiences, and preserve North Dakota’s cultural heritage. Nominations are submitted by individuals or organizations and evaluated by a committee using a scoring rubric. Finalists are selected for their impact on communities and submitted to the Governor for approval.

Unique Awards and Artistic Evolution

three images showing the three styles of ND Governor Awards given from 1977-2025The ND Governor’s Awards for the Arts are as much about celebrating artistic achievement as they are about honoring craftsmanship. Over the years, recipients have been presented with three distinct awards, each reflecting the evolving identity of the program. 

From 1977 to 1995, honorees received a silver eagle medallion designed by Grand Forks artist Kathryn McCleery. The eagle feather—a revered symbol in American Indian culture—served as a meaningful emblem of honor and heritage. 

Between 1997 and 2001, the awards took the form of a wooden plaque shaped like a painter’s palette, created by Mark Kenneweg, then Interpretive Director at Fort Abraham Lincoln. Featuring bronze elements symbolizing both the performing and visual arts, this design captured the diversity of artistic disciplines. 

Since 2003, the awards have been crafted by nationally recognized artist Nelda Schrupp of Lakota, ND. Schrupp’s intricate design incorporates sterling silver, gemstones, and horsehair tassels, with each element representing unity, diversity, and the four artistic disciplines: visual, theater and literary, dance, and music. 

Together, these unique awards embody the spirit of creativity they celebrate.

Voices of Recognition

Recipients have spoken about the transformative power of the awards:

  • 2023 ND Governor Award for the Arts recipient Pieper Fleck Bloomquist standing with Governor Doug Burgum“I was moved to tears when I received this award. It validated a lifetime of work promoting Nordic folk arts.” – Pieper Fleck Bloomquist, 2023 (pictured right with Governor Doug Burgum)
  • "While the work we do provides satisfaction, being recognized for our efforts is humbling and appreciated. Knowing that the arts matter is so important." – David Borlaug, 2019
  • “Being a recipient was a huge personal honor. More importantly, it shows that an individual’s contributions to the arts in North Dakota are valued and appreciated.” – Jesse Veeder, 2019
  • “Receiving the Governor's Award for the Arts as an organization boosted our confidence.... It was an important milestone to be recognized by our state arts organization.” – Dayna Del Val, The Arts Partnership, 2017
  • "I would see the Governor's Award on display in offices and arts centers… I wanted to be “in that club” and when I was honored with the award in 2017, I felt recognized. As an artist, I had arrived." - Jon Offutt, 2017 
  • "The Governor’s Award on the Arts recognized Sleepy Hollow’s tenacity, vision and ambition, which certainly carried us forward to the present.  This demarcation of the impact and importance of the arts is of the highest order.  The awards mark history in the making. We are forever grateful and most proud of this significant recognition!"  – Susan Lundberg, 2011
  • “Receiving the ND Governor's Award in the Arts felt like a culminating career recognition working for a state and discipline I have been passionate about for my lifetime. It was a both humbling and gratifying experience.” – Brad Bachmeier, 2009
  • "When I received the Governor’s Award for the Arts, I was humbled to know that my efforts had been noticed, and I was honored to receive such an inspiring award. It made me feel that my work was not just important to me, or even to my community, but to the state of North Dakota. Receiving the award encouraged me to do even more for the arts, both in my professional life and even now as a retiree. My gratitude for this award can never be adequately expressed." – Beth Klingenstein, 2007
  • "It is always nice to be recognized by one’s peers, the NDCA, and with the current ND Governor’s endorsement. I am as fond of that recognition as I am of my first place award in the yearly LaMoure County Declamation contest when I was in the Fourth grade and sang Candy Kisses Wrapped in Paper. I sure wish I could find that blue ribbon." – Walter Piehl, 2005
  • "The Governor's award gave me credibility and the drive to push through the difficult processes and times which allowed for exhibitions and pop-up sales of my work in over 400 galleries and shows." – Linda Whitney, 1999

These awards underscore the enduring importance of the arts in shaping North Dakota’s communities and culture. From grassroots initiatives to established organizations, they recognize the tenacity, vision, and creativity of the people who bring art to life in the state.