The Northeast Louisiana Arts Council is excited to announce the nominees for the 39th annual Northeast Louisiana Arts Awards to be held on Thursday, June 20. Nominated artists, businesses, educators, and volunteers in the arts community are recognized during this program. Categories receiving nominations this year are the Arts Educator of the Year Award, Performing Artist of the Year Award, Visual Artist of the Year Award, Emerging Artist, BART Award, and Volunteer of the Year Award.
Established in 1993, the Artist of the Year Award was renamed in 2009 after artist Edmund Willamson who changed the cultural landscape of northeast Louisiana. Nominees are professional artists who have shown excellence in their discipline and enriched Region 8 through their art form.
2024 nominees include:
· Heather Gill, nominated by Twin City Art Foundation/Masur Museum
· Brandon Virgil, nominated by Black Creatives Circle of North Louisiana
Recognizing the importance of the performing arts, the Performing Artist of the Year Award was created in 2019 to mirror the Edmund Williamson Visual Artist of the Year. Nominees are professional artists who have excelled in their chosen field and enriched Region 8 through their art form.
2024 nominees include:
· Chandler Beard, nominated by Strauss Theatre Center
· Grayce Sanders, nominated by Louisiana Delta Ballet
· Elizabeth Vidos, nominated by North Central Louisiana Arts Council
The Business Art (BART) Award was the first Arts Award established in 1985. Nominees are businesses that have made significant contributions impacting the success of the cultural programs of organizations in northeast Louisiana.
2024 nominees include:
· Paul & Kelly Coburn/The Gardens at Georgia Tucker, nominated by Twin City Ballet
· Gilley Enterprises/McDonald’s, nominated by Louisiana Delta Ballet
· West Monroe West Ouachita Chamber of Commerce, nominated by Strauss Theatre Center
Established in 1988, the Volunteer of the Year Award recognizes individual personal involvement in the development of the cultural arts in northeast Louisiana.
2024 nominees include:
· Lee Ainsworth, nominated by Monroe Symphony Orchestra
· Keith Beard, nominated by Strauss Theatre Center
· Dr. Alicia Jones, nominated by Black Creatives Circle of North Louisiana
· Jessica Thornhill, nominated by Twin City Ballet
· Justin Underwood, nominated by Louisiana Delta Ballet
The Dot Bassett Emerging Artist Award is named after long-time Arts Council Executive Director, Dot Bassett. Established to acknowledge young artists who have demonstrated a desire to pursue a career in the arts, a $500 cash award will be presented to this category’s winner.
2024 nominees include:
· Taryn Davidson, nominated by Ross Lynn Charitable Foundation
· Cainwyn Garner, nominated by ULM School of Visual and Performing Arts
· Jake Kepper, nominated by Louisiana Delta Ballet
In its third year, the Region 8 Arts Educator of the Year award recognizes an arts educator who is making a difference in our region through their dedication to Arts Education. A $500 cash award will be presented to the winning educator. The 2024 nominees, submitted by the public at large, include:
· Anna Alexander, Hillcrest & Glen View Elementary School, nominated by Marcie Nelson
· Cyndi Beauboef, Weston High School, nominated by Sheri Flynn
· Lissy Sanders-Compton, Ouachita Parish Gifted & Talented, nominated by Clifford Tresner
· Inique Harris, Monroe City Gifted & Talented, nominated by Rodrecas Davis
· Deana Revels, Ruston High School, nominated by Dylan Sanders
Membership of the Arts Council and invited guests will celebrate the nominees with the winners being announced at the Arts Council’s Annual Arts Awards ceremony scheduled for Thursday, June 20, 2024.
Learn more about the Northeast Louisiana Arts Council and its activities at https://nelaarts.org/.
