The Missouri Arts Council has acclaimed 225 people, organizations and communities who truly embody the spirit of the arts since 1983. The public is invited to attend the ceremony recognizing the 2025 …
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The Missouri Arts Council has acclaimed 225 people, organizations and communities who truly embody the spirit of the arts since 1983. The public is invited to attend the ceremony recognizing the 2025 honorees who have made significant contributions to Missouri’s artistic and cultural legacy at the Missouri State Capitol, Feb. 5.
In the 43rd annual awards, Mexico received the title of “Creative Community” for our programs, largely supported by volunteers, which strengthen our community’s “deep personal connection with the arts.”
Presser Arts Center nominated the city of Mexico for the creative community category.
“There were like 27 other nominations, the majority of them came from metropolitan areas like Kansas City, St. Louis and Springfield,” explains Lois Brace, executive director of Presser Arts Center.
Brace got to sit in on the judging, listening to the panelists discuss nominations.
“When the panelists read our nomination, they couldn’t believe the list of things that was being provided in our community by the population number,” says Brace.
This win means the city will get listed for the entire year of 2025 on the Missouri Arts Council, be promoted by the Lieutenant Governor’s office and given a creative community road sign that gets put on all the population signs entering Mexico.
“That permanent sign says, ‘Missouri’s creative community’ and that’s an honor not too many people have,” says Brace.
Mayor Vicki Briggs will receive the eye-catching, colorful sign at the awards ceremony.
The day is known as “Arts Day at the Capitol”, and the official awards ceremony begins at 1 p.m. in the rotunda. There will be music for some entertainment leading up to 1 p.m.
“I would encourage anyone who can to attend,” says Brace. “It’s open to the public and a lot of legislators will be there in session during that time.”
Among those recognized as part of making Mexico a creative community are: Presser Arts Center, Soybean Festival, Walk Back in Time, Miss Missouri, Missouri Military Academy, Audrain-Mexico Public Library, The Old Pharmacy and Ceramics Shoppe, Color Me Bleu, Callaway Fields and J. Marshall, Hickory Ridge Orchard, Mexico Public School District, Homestead Hearth, Janet’s Dance Studio, Graceland Museum and Simmons Stables as well as many more seasonal events, attractions and camps.
