Wyoming Arts Champion Award

Wyoming’s unique arts heritage dates back millennia.

Thanks to the work of our local communities, our knowledge of human creativity and the role it has in our daily lives continues to reach farther across the state and span further back in time. Today, WyAA seeks to acknowledge individuals who make outstanding contributions in support of the continued vibrancy of that long unbroken heritage.

In that spirit, the inaugural WyAA Arts Champion Award will be shared by two remarkable Wyoming women whose contributions to the field of arts advocacy are outshined only by their humility. Truly, they can both be found working hard “behind the scenes,” to improve the climate for the ats and culture—making them all the more inspiring and deserving of this acknowledgement.

Meet The 2024 Wyoming Arts Champions

Sara Sheen is the Deputy Director of Wyoming State Parks & Cultural Resources, heading up the Cultural Resources Division where she oversees the Wyoming State Arts Council, Archives, Museum, Historic Preservation Office, Archeologist’s Office, and Cultural Trust Fund. Before this, she worked as an Archaeologist conducting fieldwork and research throughout Wyoming before taking a position with the State of Wyoming as a Senior Archaeologist. She was then appointed by the Governor and served for three years as the Wyoming State Historic Preservation Officer before accepting her current position.

Erin Taylor is a seasoned public policy expert with over twenty-five years of experience at the federal, state and local levels. She founded Taylor Strategies & Consulting in 2014 after serving as the Executive Director of the Wyoming Taxpayers Association, where she successfully advocated for fair taxation and educated policymakers on tax policy implications. Taylor also managed the 2014 primary election campaign for US Senator Mike Enzi, achieving the Senator’s highest win percentage. Beyond tax policy, she has experience in regulatory issues at both state and national levels. Taylor holds a degree in economics and a Master of Science in regulatory and environmental economics from the University of Wyoming, and she actively contributes to her community through mindfulness teaching and volunteering. Throughout her career, Taylor received numerous awards and recognitions, including being named one of Wyoming’s “40 Under 40” and serving in leadership roles for various associations and organizations.

Meet The Artist Behind The Award Artwork

Artwork for the inaugural awards has been created by celebrated artist, curator, and arts leader Bronwyn Minton. Based in Jackson Hole, Minton holds a BFA from the Rhode Island School of Design and an MFA from the San Francisco Art Institute. She’s been honored with the Wyoming Governor’s Arts Award and multiple Wyoming Arts Council Visual Arts Fellowships, along with other recognitions. Her work, encompassing various mediums, explores human interaction with the natural world and is featured in public and private collections worldwide. In addition to her artistic pursuits, Minton joined the Art Association of Jackson in 2017 and served as leader 2019-23. She continues to teach, serve as an arts advocate, creating and curating projects involving Wyoming artists.