Several Phoenix Artists Win Big At Governor's Arts Awards

PHOENIX, AZ — The artistic community of Phoenix was well represented at Friday's 40th annual Governor's Arts Awards event.

Five Phoenix residents and organizations won awards at the event, hosted by Arizona Citizens for the Arts.

Among them were the Black Theatre Troupe, which won the large arts organization category; while Young Arts Arizona, Arts in Medicine/UofA and Emancipation Arts all won for the small arts organization, large business and small business categories.

Phoenix-based philanthropist Molly DeFillipis won the philanthropy category, while Valley Youth Theatre Artistic Director Bobb Cooper received a lifetime achievement award at Saturday's event.

Phoenix artists and organizations that were finalists on Saturday included Stella Pope Duarte and James Garcia in the artist award category.

Among small arts organizations, Phoenix's Sounds Academy and Young Arts Arizona LTD were finalists; while the Nash Jazz Club and Education Center was a finalist among large arts organizations.

In addition, Emancipation Arts and Davisson Entertainment were finalists in the small business category, while Art in Medicine and Cosanti Originals were finalists in the large business category.

Finally, Eric Yungermann of Phoenix was a finalist in the philanthropy category.

The 2021 winners were chosen by an independent committee from 24 finalists from 10 Arizona communities.

More than 250 artists, individuals, cultural organizations, businesses and philanthropists have won Governor's Arts Awards dating back to the event's founding in 1981.