Pianist Gerardo Teissonnière Receives 2025 Governor's Award for the Arts

Nine Honorees to Receive a 2025 Governor’s Award for the Arts

Hailing from all corners of the state, nine outstanding Ohioans and arts organizations have been selected to receive a Governor’s Award for the Arts in Ohio this year. 

A tradition since 1971, the Governor's Awards showcase and celebrate exceptional Ohio artists, arts organizations, arts leaders and supporters, and educators. Award recipients are presented with the only arts award in the state that is conferred by the governor. 

In recognition of their impactful and visionary leadership in Ohio’s creative sector and their sustained dedication to promoting artistic excellence, awardees will be honored during a ceremony on May 28, 2025. 

"Through their work, this year’s Governor’s Awards winners have brought positive national and international acclaim to Ohio,” said OAC Executive Director Donna S. Collins. “Their artistic talents and contributions have improved the lives of Ohio’s residents. These honorees share efforts that align with the Ohio Arts Council’s mission to strengthen our communities culturally, educationally, and economically.”

Each of the winners will receive an original work of art by painter Tara Yarzand of Sylvania. 

Registration for the event will open on March 4, 2025, and additional information will be available in the coming weeks. Visit the Governor’s Awards page for regular updates. 

The 2025 award recipients and categories follow: 

Arts Administration

• Zachary Thomas | Cleveland (Cuyahoga County)

Arts Education (co-winners)

• Padma Chebrolu | Cincinnati (Hamilton County)
• James Swearingen | Grove City (Franklin County)

Arts Support (co-winners)

• Sara Jane DeHoff | Perrysburg (Wood County)
• WYSO-FM | Yellow Springs (Greene County)

Community Development and Participation (co-winners)

• William Henry Caldwell | Dayton (Montgomery County)
• Artsbridge, Inc. | Marietta (Washington County)

Individual Artist

• Gerardo Teissonnière | Cleveland (Cuyahoga County)

Irma Lazarus

• BLINK | Cincinnati (Hamilton County)

Biographical information and headshots for Governor's Award winners are available to download.

Additionally, Charley Moses, chair of the Capitol Square Foundation and board president of the Ohio History Connection, will receive a special recognition from the Ohio Arts Council’s board for his work to advance the arts throughout the state.

Biographical information and a headshot for Charley Moses are also available to download.

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