Speakeysie News Desk

Congratulations Tomer! What a well deserved honor. —Jody Key – Managing Editor

ATLANTA  – Governor Brian P. Kemp and First Lady Marty Kemp today applauded the recipients of the 14th annual Governor’s Awards for the Arts and Humanities, honoring individuals and organizations that have made significant contributions to Georgia in these fields. The awards are presented in partnership with the Georgia Council for the Arts and Georgia Humanities.

Tomer Zvulun, the Carl W. Knobloch, Jr. General & Artistic Director of The Atlanta Opera, has been recognized for his outstanding leadership in the arts. Over his 13-year tenure, he has guided the company into the top tier of American opera organizations and earned international acclaim for bold, innovative productions. He expanded the company’s reach by launching The Atlanta Opera Film Studio, introducing opera to audiences across Georgia and around the globe. Zvulun is currently developing the first new U.S. production of Richard Wagner’s Ringcycle since the pandemic, bringing one of the most ambitious works in the operatic canon to the Southeast.

“On behalf of the State of Georgia, I want to congratulate the recipients of this year’s Governor’s Award for the Arts and Humanities,” said Governor Brian Kemp. “Georgia is proud of our world-renowned arts and entertainment scene, which has supported our state’s thriving economy for decades. The talented individuals and organizations recognized this year have played a key role in those efforts, and we are grateful for their impact on their local communities and our state as a whole.”

“We are honored to celebrate this year’s honorees for their work to make Georgia such a great place to live and visit,” said First Lady Marty Kemp. “From historic preservation to music education to community and cultural centers, these individuals and organizations are providing inspiration and opportunity for creative expression for Georgians across our state.”

Atlanta Opera Board Chair John Haupert says, “Since joining The Atlanta Opera’s board in 2016, I’ve watched Tomer lead with extraordinary vision, creativity, and passion. His steady, inspiring leadership during the pandemic showed his deep belief in the power of art to connect people. When he arrived in 2013, the company was a solid but fragile regional organization; today, thanks to his persistence, it ranks among the ten largest in North America, presents nearly 50 performances a year, and reaches more than 100,000 students annually. Under Tomer’s guidance, The Atlanta Opera has become both artistically vibrant and financially stable.”

Following a competitive nominations process, ten members of the arts and humanities communities from across Georgia were awarded this year’s honor. The recipients represent a diverse group of individuals and organizations that have contributed to and supported the growth of Georgia’s thriving creative industries through community involvement, pioneering programs, and long-term financial commitment.

The recipients of the 14th Annual Governor’s Awards for the Arts and Humanities are listed below:

• Tomer Zvulun
• Sherrill Milnes
• Andy Gaines
• Sasikala Penumarthi
• Dennis Skelley
• Luciana Spracher
• Atlanta Drum Academy
• Okefenokee Heritage Center
• The Suzi Bass Awards
• Union County Historical Society

Each recipient received a handmade wood sculpture carved by Etienne Jackson of Fairburn, GA. 
A description of each of the 2025 Governor’s Awards for the Arts and Humanities winners is available in the online program.

About the Award Partners

Georgia Council for the Artsempowers the arts industry in Georgia and artists around the state to cultivate healthy, vibrant communities that are rich in civic participation, cultural experiences, and economic prosperity. As part of the Georgia Department of Economic Development, the Georgia Council for the Arts provides grant funding, programs, and services statewide that support this vital industry, preserve cultural heritage, and create increased access to meaningful arts experiences. Visit gaarts.org for more information.

Georgia Humanities connects people and communities to encourage understanding and inspire hope. Through grantmaking and public programs, Georgia Humanities engages people of all ages and backgrounds to explore what shapes us as individuals and binds us together as Georgians. Funding for Georgia Humanities is provided by the Georgia General Assembly, the National Endowment for the Humanities, foundations, donors, and partners. Visit georgiahumanities.org for more information.

About The Atlanta Opera

Hailed by The New York Times for “Bringing Opera Back from the Brink,” The Atlanta Opera’s mission is to break the boundaries of opera to create exceptional experiences for audiences everywhere. Founded in 1979, the company has grown to achieve “Tier One” status (Opera America) in 2024 and works with world-renowned singers, conductors, directors, and designers who seek to enhance the art form. Under the leadership of internationally recognized stage director and Carl W. Knobloch, Jr. General & Artistic Director Tomer Zvulun, The Atlanta Opera expanded from three to four mainstage productions at Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre and launched the acclaimed “Discoveries” event series, as well as the innovative 96-Hour Opera Project. In recent years, the company has been named among the “Best of” by the Atlanta Journal-Constitution and was nominated in 2016, 2023, and 2025 for International Opera Awards. It also received ArtsATL’s 2019 Luminary Award for Community Engagement in recognition of its successful Veterans Program in partnership with the Home Depot Foundation, while the 2023 Governor’s Award for the Arts and Humanities recognized the excellence of the 96-Hour Opera Project. In addition, The Atlanta Opera was featured in a 2018 Harvard Business School case study about successful organizational growth, and Zvulun presented a TEDx Talk at Emory University titled “The Ambidextrous Opera Company, or Opera in the Age of iPhones.”

During the COVID-19 pandemic, The Atlanta Opera was one of the few companies in the world to create a full, alternative season, consisting of no fewer than 40 live performances in two different outdoor venues, including a revolutionary custom-designed circus tent. The critically acclaimed productions and concerts were streamed in HD on the newly created “Atlanta Opera Film Studio” streaming platform, which continues to allow The Atlanta Opera to reach a global audience. National coverage of the “pandemic season” included features in the Wall Street Journal and on PBS NewsHour.

Tomer Zvulun and his creative team launched performances of Richard Wagner’s Ring cycle, developing an entirely new production. Featuring one of the four operas each season since 2023, the 4-opera music drama will premiere the final opera of the cycle, Gotterdammerung, in May/June 2026. Reflecting on the company’s achievements over the past decade, Musical America declared, “The Atlanta Opera has arrived.” For more information, visit atlantaopera.org.