Albuquerque Museum Director Andrew Connors Receives 2026 Governor's Award for Excellence in the Arts

The City of Albuquerque’s Department of Arts & Culture proudly congratulates Albuquerque Museum Director Andrew Connors on being named a recipient of the 2026 Governor's Award for Excellence in the Arts, one of New Mexico's highest honors recognizing extraordinary contributions to the arts.

Presented annually by New Mexico Arts and the New Mexico Arts Commission, the Governor's Awards celebrate artists, leaders and organizations whose work has enriched the state's creative and cultural landscape. Connors is one of eight distinguished 2026 recipients.

“It is such an honor to be listed among this accomplished group of creatives and educators,” said Connors. “It has always been a joy to elevate the work of our state’s dynamic artists and introduce our community to the ideas of such powerful thinkers. Public museums provide these educational opportunities every day.”

Since becoming director of Albuquerque Museum, Connors has helped strengthen its role as one of the Southwest's leading cultural institutions, expanding access to exhibitions, collections, and educational programming while deepening connections to Albuquerque's diverse artistic heritage. Prior to serving as director, he was the museum's curator of art, building nationally recognized exhibitions and collections that highlight Hispanic, Latino, Native American, and folk art.

"Art of all kinds holds a special prominence here, and Andrew has helped elevate that at the Albuquerque Museum," said Mayor Tim Keller. “This award is well-earned recognition for his vision and commitment to sharing New Mexico's stories."

Connors' career has included leadership roles at Albuquerque Academy, the National Hispanic Cultural Center and the Smithsonian American Art Museum. In 2022 he was appointed by President Joe Biden to the U.S. Department of State's Cultural Properties Advisory Committee.

In addition to Connors, recipients include Adrián Aguirre, visual artist, Las Cruces; Delbert Anderson (Diné), musician, Kirtland; Bill Barrett, sculptor, Santa Fe; Anne Hillerman, author, Los Cerrillos; Institute of American Indian Arts, Santa Fe; Eli Levin (a.k.a. Jo Basiste), painter, Dixon; Sam Scott, painter, Santa Fe. 

The 2026 Governor's Awards for Excellence in the Arts ceremony will take place on October 15 at the St. Francis Auditorium in the New Mexico Museum of Art in Santa Fe. An exhibition featuring work by this year's recipients will also open that day in the Governor's Gallery at the New Mexico State Capitol.

Established in 1974, the Governor's Awards for Excellence in the Arts recognize outstanding achievement and lifelong dedication to the arts in New Mexico. The awards are presented by New Mexico Arts and the New Mexico Arts Commission in collaboration with the New Mexico Museum of Art.