Creative Bravos Awards

Celebrating 41 Years of Creative Excellence

About the Awards

The City of Albuquerque's Creative Bravos Awards are dedicated to recognizing and honoring work that makes a significant impact on the lives of residents, neighborhoods, and/or communities. The awards are given annually to individuals, youths, teams, events, programs, organizations and businesses that celebrate the breadth of creative work that exists in the city. 

Each year an award ceremony is hosted by the Department of Arts & Culture. Awards are given to established and emerging creatives of any age. Nominations should be submitted on behalf of anyone you feel benefits Albuquerque's creative economy. Self-nominations will not be accepted. 

Nominations are now closed. 

History of the Creative Bravos Awards

Beginning in 1985, the Albuquerque Arts Alliance, a devoted organization fostering Albuquerque's vibrant creative community through diverse avenues, initiated the annual Bravo Awards. These awards aimed to recognize and spotlight the substantial contributions made by numerous channels of artistic expression, education, and community enrichment. Categories such as "Outstanding Arts Organization," "Distinguished Volunteer of the Year," and "Significant Contribution to Arts in Education," among others, became the centerpieces of this celebration. The Albuquerque Arts Alliance, composed of like-minded peers, celebrated businesses, individuals, and organizations for their meaningful impact on the local arts scene, culminating in a communal strengthening.

This collective effort to publicly acknowledge artistic endeavors bolstered the community's cohesion until 2008. Over this period, the Arts Alliance's Bravo Awards remained faithful to their mission, with minor adjustments in award categories and overseeing members.

In 2009, the Albuquerque Arts Alliance underwent a transformation, adopting the moniker Creative Albuquerque, and consequently rebranded the awards as the Creative Bravos Awards. This shift broadened the focus of recognized artistic contributions. While the dedication to enhancing Albuquerque's artistic community remained paramount, Creative Albuquerque sought to emphasize the economic innovation and influence brought forth by the awardees in the realm of arts. This revamped approach extended recognition not only to individual artists and organizations but also included for-profit ventures and collectives that contributed to the city's creative economy. The selection process also evolved, with awardees now being chosen from formal nominations submitted by the arts community, departing from the previous practice of internal selection by the Arts Alliance board. This evolution continued until 2013, during which Creative Albuquerque sponsored the Creative Bravos Awards.

The Creative Bravos Awards rekindled in 2018 under the administration of the City of Albuquerque's Department of Arts & Culture. Recipients are now selected from nominations put forth by the public and are celebrated annually. These contemporary awards strive to recognize and celebrate artistic achievements across a spectrum of categories, encompassing individuals, young talents, teams, events, programs, organizations, and businesses, all of which contribute to the city's vibrant creative tapestry.

2026 Creative Bravos Awards Recipients:

FUSION Theatre & Dennis Gromelski
FUSION Theatre is a nationally recognized leader in bold, socially engaged storytelling and inclusive arts leadership, dedicated to producing transformative theatre that reflects and uplifts Albuquerque’s diverse communities. Founded in 2001, FUSION has premiered more than 100 original works and pioneered initiatives that expand access, equity, and representation in the arts. Together, FUSION and Gromelski exemplify the power of theatre to spark dialogue, amplify marginalized voices, and strengthen community.

Bookworks
Celebrating 42 years in 2026, Bookworks is one of Albuquerque’s most beloved independent bookstores and a cornerstone of the city’s literary life. Founded in 1984, it has hosted thousands of author events and remains a vibrant gathering place for readers, writers, and ideas. Today, Bookworks continues to thrive as a community-centered hub for literacy, civic engagement, and cultural connection.

Yjastros: The American Flamenco Repertory Company
Founded in 1999, Yjastros is an internationally acclaimed leader in flamenco performance, education, and innovation, positioning New Mexico as a global center for the art form. Under the artistic direction of Joaquín Encinias, the company has created more than 70 original works and toured extensively across the U.S. and Spain. Through artistic excellence and community engagement, Yjastros advances cultural understanding while shaping the evolution of flamenco worldwide.

Albuquerque Concert Band
For nearly 60 years, the Albuquerque Concert Band has brought high-quality, free concert band music to audiences across New Mexico. This all-volunteer ensemble presents 13 to 15 concerts annually, fostering community connection, musical excellence, and lifelong learning. Through performances, collaborations, and educational scholarships, ACB continues to inspire audiences of all ages.

Indian Pueblo Cultural Center (IPCC)
Founded in 1976 by the All Pueblo Council of Governors, the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center is the official cultural center of the 19 Pueblos of New Mexico and a cornerstone of Indigenous cultural preservation. Through dynamic exhibitions, education programs, performances, and community events, IPCC elevates Indigenous voices and safeguards living traditions. Today, it stands as a nationally recognized museum and gathering place fostering cultural understanding, pride, and continuity.

AMP Concerts
Founded in 2004, AMP Concerts is New Mexico’s leading nonprofit live music presenter, nationally recognized for innovative, inclusive, and community-centered programming. AMP has hosted thousands of concerts featuring world-renowned and local artists while expanding access through free performances statewide. Guided by the belief that music builds community and connection, AMP continues to shape New Mexico’s cultural landscape.

Cardboard Playhouse Theatre Company and The Box Performance Space  –  Doug Montoya and Kristin Berg
Founded in 2004, Cardboard Playhouse Theatre Company is a trailblazer in youth-centered and community-driven theatre, removing financial barriers to ensure access, creativity, and artistic excellence for young performers. Its home, The Box Performance Space, is New Mexico’s only dedicated improv theatre and a vibrant hub for original works, education, and community events. Together, founders Doug Montoya and Kristin Berg champion inclusion, imagination, and artistic risk, cultivating the next generation of performers while enriching Albuquerque’s cultural life.

Rosalinda Rojas
Rojas is a prominent dance educator, choreographer, and performing arts faculty member based in Albuquerque, New Mexico. She is widely recognized for her leadership in the local arts community, particularly through her long-term association with Albuquerque Academy. She serves as a dance educator and choreographer for the school's performing arts department. In May 2024, she received a Faculty Award in recognition of her exceptional mentorship and contributions to the dance program.

Thank you to all of the Previous Creative Bravos recipients for contributions to Albuquerque's creative community.