Creative Bravos Award Winners Announced
Arts leaders, cultural institutions recognized for their contributions to the community
The City of Albuquerque’s Department of Arts & Culture along with First Lady Elizabeth Kistin Keller have announced the 2026 Creative Bravos Awards winners. The awards honor people and organizations whose leadership, creativity, and dedication have profoundly shaped Albuquerque’s cultural life and creative economy.
The 2026 recipients are Fusion Theatre and Dennis Gromelski (Legacy Bravo Award); Bookworks; Yjastros: The American Flamenco Repertory Company; Rosalinda Rojas; Albuquerque Concert Band; Indian Pueblo Cultural Center; AMP Concerts; and Cardboard Playhouse Theatre Company and The Box Performance Space, led by Doug Montoya and Kristin Berg. Together these honorees reflect the extraordinary breadth, depth, and vitality of Albuquerque’s arts and culture ecosystem, from performing and literary arts to music, youth education, Indigenous cultural preservation, and community-centered creative leadership.
“This year’s Creative Bravos honorees embody the heart of Albuquerque in a bold, inclusive, creative, and deeply connected way,” said First Lady Kistin Keller. “Their work strengthens our city, uplifts diverse voices, and ensures that arts and culture remain accessible, meaningful, and transformative.”
The public is invited to celebrate the 2026 Creative Bravos Awards winners at a ceremony on Saturday, March 14, from 1:30-3:30 p.m. at the Albuquerque Museum. The event is free and open to the public, but tickets are recommended for best seating - https://artsandculture.cabq.gov/creativebravosawards.
The ceremony will feature artist recognition, live performances, and special presentations highlighting the honorees’ lasting impact.
“The Creative Bravos Awards are about honoring those who make our City a place where creativity thrives,” said Arts & Culture Director Dr. Shelle Sanchez. “Each of this year’s recipients have helped shape a more vibrant, inclusive, and connected community.”
Now in their fourth decade, the Creative Bravos Awards celebrate excellence, innovation, and leadership in the arts and creative industries, recognizing those whose contributions enrich the city’s cultural fabric and elevate Albuquerque on the local, national, and global stage.
Read more, including past winners’ bios, at www.cabq.gov/artsculture/creative-bravos-awards.