Nominations Now Open for the 2025 Northeast Louisiana Arts Awards!
The Northeast Louisiana Arts Council is proud to announce that nominations are now OPEN for the annual Northeast Louisiana Arts Awards, celebrating the incredible talent, dedication, and support within our vibrant arts community.
Awards Ceremony: Thursday, June 12, 2025
Honoring individuals and organizations that have enriched Region 8 and Louisiana through the arts.
Award Categories:
- Performing Artist of the Year
For a professional artist who has excelled in their field and brought distinction to the region through performance. - Edmund Williamson Visual Artist of the Year
For a professional visual artist whose work has made a lasting impact in Region 8 and beyond. - BART (Business Art) Award
For businesses that have made significant contributions to the cultural and artistic success of local organizations. - Volunteer of the Year
Honoring individuals whose time and dedication have helped shape the cultural arts in our region. - Emerging Artist Award
For high school seniors or college students committed to pursuing a career in the arts. - Region 8 Arts Educator of the Year
Recognizing an arts educator who is making a powerful difference through their dedication to arts education. (Public nominations welcome!)
Who Can Nominate?
- Arts organizations in Region 8
- Current Arts Council members
- General public (for the Arts Educator of the Year category)
Let’s lift up the artists, educators, businesses, and volunteers who inspire us every day. Help us celebrate creativity and commitment in Northeast Louisiana!
Scroll down for full nomination details and forms.
The Northeast Louisiana Arts Council is excited to announce the nominees for the 40th annual Northeast Louisiana Arts Awards to be held on Thursday, June 12. 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.
2025 Business Art (BART) nominees are:
• Gilley Enterprises/McDonald’s, nominated by Louisiana Delta Ballet
• Progressive Bank, nominated by Twin City Ballet Company
• The UPS Store West Monroe/Doug Harvey, nominated by TCAF/Masur
• West Monroe West Ouachita Chamber of Commerce, nominated by Amy Keifenheim
2025 Volunteer of the Year nominees are:
• Karla Curtis, nominated by Strauss Youth Academy
• Jenny Hendricks, nominated by Louisiana Delta Ballet
• Hal Hinchliffe, nominated by TCAF/Masur Museum
• Juliann McCann, nominated by The Princess Theatre
• Carmen McNew, nominated by Strauss Youth Academy
• Mike Shore, nominated by Strauss Theatre Center
• Ashlyn Sifford, nominated by Twin City Ballet Company
• Megan Wilkins, nominated by Strauss Youth Academy
2025 Tommy Usrey Performing Artist of the Year nominees are:
• Kinsey Coleman, nominated by Strauss Theatre Center
• Amelia Haynes Littleton, nominated by Twin City Ballet Company
• Grayce Sanders, nominated by Louisiana Delta Ballet
• Cathy Webb, nominated by Jessica Rainwater-Grigson
2025 Edmund Williamson Artist of the Year nominees are:
• Inique Harris, nominated by TCAF/Masur Museum
• Sara Beth Howard, nominated by Courtyard On Cotton
2025 Dot Bassett Emerging Artist nominees are:
• Ara Arcilla, nominated by Jessica Rainwater-Grigson
• Anna Beth Ellerman, nominated by Sherri Slade
• Ryleigh Geis, nominated by Louisiana Delta Ballet
• Ashlyn Underwood, nominated by Vickie Freeman/WMHS Choir
2025 Region 8 Arts Educator of the Year nominees, submitted by the public at large, are:
• Matthew Knopps, nominated by Jessica Rainwater-Grigson
• Leah Reitzell, nominated by Doll Ann Johnson
• Karen Sharp, nominated by Sherri Slade
CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL OF OUR NOMINEES!
