The Fiscal Year 2027 Executive Budget released on Friday, January 16, 2026, by the Governor’s office proposes the continuation of a $2 million one-time legislative appropriation to the Arizona Commission on the Arts that was included in the State’s FY2025 and FY2026 budgets.
“Over the course of her career, Dr. Tohe has distinguished herself as a poet, librettist, and writer of both fiction and nonfiction. She is a storyteller whose words reflect the heart, history, and hopes of our state. As Poet Laureate, Dr. Tohe will continue Arizona’s tradition of creativity and help inspire the next generation of writers.”
Governor Katie Hobbs has appointed Flagstaff Mayor Becky Daggett, Essen Otu of Phoenix, and Yuma resident Mark Schauer to serve on the 15-member commission and re-appointed Arthur Harding, Simon Tipene Adlam, and John-Peter Wilhite to second terms.
Arizona Commission on the Arts executive director Christina You-sun Park has been elected to serve a three-year term on the board of directors for the National Assembly of State Arts Agencies (NASAA).
Patagonia Lake State Park will host a full three-week residency with Flagstaff artist Cory Woodall from October 29 – November 16, 2025, and a mini-residency with Bisbee’s Fernando Serrano from November 19 – 23, 2025.
On August 21, 2025, the Arizona Commission on the Arts, an agency of the State of Arizona, announced 375 grant awards totaling $2,5456,273. Grants were awarded to a diverse array of organizations and programs spread across the state.
An award-winning Arizona State Parks artist residency program piloted last year continues this week at Oracle State Park. Bisbee-based clay artist Chloe Foster began a three-week residency at the park on April 20, 2025.
The Fiscal Year 2026 Executive Budget proposal released today by Governor Hobbs includes an ongoing $1 million General Fund appropriation for the Arizona Commission on the Arts. Since 2011, the State’s investments in the arts have been positioned as one-time appropriations, with no commitment to ongoing funding beyond the current fiscal year.
Nominations will be accepted through March 31, 2025, via a form on the Arts Commission’s website, https://azarts.gov. The Governor’s selection will be announced in September 2025 and the new Poet Laureate’s two-year term will begin in January 2026.
The Arizona Commission on the Arts, an agency of the State of Arizona, announced today the appointment of Yuma resident and Cocopah Indian Tribe member Wilana Ortega to its governing board of commissioners.
We're coming to Verde Valley! - Arizona Commission on the Arts
azarts.gov
This March the Arizona Commission on the Arts is coming to Verde Valley! Residents of the region will have multiple opportunities to engage with Arts Commission staff and board members March 25-26, 20...
