The 40th Annual Northeast Louisiana Arts Awards
Celebrating the people, artists, and supporters who shape culture in Northeast Louisiana!
AND THE WINNERS ARE...
Congratulations to the winners of the 40th Annual Northeast Louisiana Arts Awards!
Last night we had the privilege of celebrating the artists, educators, organizations, businesses, volunteers, and advocates who make Northeast Louisiana a more vibrant and creative place to live.
Please join us in congratulating this year’s Arts Awards recipients:
Arts Educator of the Year (K–12): Joni Dollar
Higher Ed Arts Educator of the Year: Emily Ezell (GSU)
Visual Artist of the Year: Stacy Medaries
Performing Artist of the Year: The John L Brown Sr. Memorial Scholarship Band
Emerging Artist of the Year: Jari Richardson
Literary Artist of the Year: Jamie Mayes
Community Arts Impact Award: Dr. Alicia Jones
BART Award (Business Art Award): Creative Exchange
Volunteer of the Year: Jennifer Haynes
Congratulations to every nominee and finalist. Your creativity, leadership, and dedication continue to enrich the cultural landscape of Northeast Louisiana, and we are grateful for all that you do.
A special thank you to everyone who submitted nominations, cast more than 7,400 votes, attended tonight’s celebration, and continues to champion the arts across the 12 parishes of Region 8.
Here’s to another incredible year of creativity, collaboration, and community. Congratulations to all of our 2026 Arts Awards recipients!
How It Works...
- Public Nominations Open - February 2027
Anyone may nominate an individual, organization, or business based in the 12 parishes of Region 8 (Northeast Louisiana). Those parishes are Caldwell, East Carroll, Franklin, Jackson, Lincoln, Madison, Morehouse, Ouachita, Richland, Tensas, Union, and West Carroll. Board members and arts organizations are encouraged to nominate, and self-nominations are welcome. - Finalists Notified - Early April 2027
Eligible nominations are reviewed to confirm criteria and consolidated into a shortlist of finalists for each category. - Public Voting - Ends Early May 2027
Finalists are presented to the public, and community members vote to determine award recipients.
- How Finalists Are Selected: After nominations close, all eligible nominees will be presented for public voting. Voting results will be used to determine which nominees advance to the Arts Awards celebration. For each award category, up to five (5) nominees receiving the highest number of votes will be invited to attend the Arts Awards event as finalists. In some categories, fewer than five finalists may advance if fewer nominees receive votes. - Arts Awards Celebration - Late June 2027
Winners are announced at the 41st Annual Northeast Louisiana Arts Awards event held at the Strauss Theatre Center in Monroe.
About the Categories...
Arts Educator of the Year
Recognizes an outstanding K–12 arts educator teaching in a public, private, or parochial school setting whose instruction and leadership have made a meaningful impact on students and the school community. Includes both visual and performing arts educators; one award is given.
Higher Education Arts Educator of the Year
Honors a university-level arts educator who demonstrates excellence in teaching, mentorship, and contribution to the regional arts landscape. Includes both visual and performing arts educators; one award is given.
Visual Artist of the Year
Recognizes a visual artist whose work reflects artistic excellence, creativity, and significant cultural impact within Region 8.
Performing Artist of the Year
Honors a performing artist whose work and presence have strengthened the cultural life of Northeast Louisiana.
Emerging Artist Award
Recognizes a young or early-career artist (approximately high school graduate through age 25) who shows exceptional promise and dedication to their artistic practice.
BART Award (Business Art Award)
Honors a business that demonstrates meaningful support for the arts through sponsorship, advocacy, partnerships, or direct investment in artists and arts organizations.
Volunteer of the Year Award
Recognizes an individual whose volunteer service has made a lasting and meaningful impact on arts organizations or initiatives in Region 8.
Literary Artist of the Year
Recognizes a writer whose work contributes to the literary and cultural landscape of Region 8. This includes authors, poets, playwrights, essayists, and spoken word artists whose writing demonstrates creativity, impact, and a meaningful connection to the community.
Community Arts Impact Award
Recognizes an individual or organization making a meaningful impact through the arts outside of traditional school settings. This may include community-based programs, workshops, outreach initiatives, and efforts that expand access to the arts and strengthen communities across Region 8.
Eligibility
Nominees must live, work, or primarily operate in Region 8 (Northeast Louisiana)
You may submit multiple nominations
Self-nominations are allowed
The 2025 Arts Awards Winners Were...
The 2025 Business Art (BART) winner:
Gilley Enterprises/McDonald’s, nominated by Louisiana Delta Ballet
The 2025 Volunteer of the Year winner:
Carmen McNew, nominated by Strauss Youth Academy
The 2025 Tommy Usrey Performing Artist of the Year winner:
Amelia Haynes Littleton, nominated by Twin City Ballet Company
The 2025 Edmund Williamson Artist of the Year winner:
Inique Harris, nominated by TCAF/Masur Museum
The 2025 Dot Bassett Emerging Artist winner:
Anna Beth Ellerman, nominated by Sherri Slade
The 2025 Region 8 Arts Educator of the Year winner:
Karen Sharp, nominated by Sherri Slade
CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL OF OUR 2025 WINNERS!
