5th Annual NOTCF's Honors Gala - Emerging Artist Award Nomination Form
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The New Orleans Tourism and Cultural Foundation (NOTCF) will host its 5th Annual NOTCF Honors Gala on Thursday, January 14, 2027, at The Fillmore New Orleans.
This celebration honors the outstanding individuals and an organization whose work strengthens New Orleans' culture across all sectors: culinary arts, design, entertainment, literary arts and humanities, visual arts and crafts, and preservation. The evening will celebrate the creativity, passion, innovation, and enduring legacy of those who shape, sustain, and share the spirit of our city.
As part of this year’s Honors Gala, NOTCF is proud to introduce the Cultural Organization Honor, a new recognition that celebrates an organization demonstrating exceptional commitment to preserving, advancing, and investing in New Orleans culture and cultural communities. This honor recognizes one organization whose programming, leadership, partnerships, educational initiatives, advocacy, and community impact have meaningfully enhanced the sustainability and visibility of the city’s cultural economy and heritage.
Organizations nominated may represent any of NOTCF’s six cultural sectors and may include nonprofits, community-based organizations, educational institutions, cultural collectives, festivals, museums, arts organizations, or other mission-driven entities whose work centers on cultural preservation, creative expression, and community engagement.
During the gala, honors will be presented in the following categories:
Emerging Artist (working as a professional cultural artist for 5 years or less) – 1 honoree representing the rising voices shaping the future of New Orleans culture
Established Artists (working as a professional cultural artist for 6–39 years) – 1 honoree in each of the six cultural sectors: • Culinary Arts • Design • Entertainment • Literary Arts and Humanities • Preservation • Visual Arts and Crafts
Lifetime Achievement (working as a professional cultural artist for 40+ years) – 1 honoree recognizing a legacy of extraordinary impact and lifelong dedication to the cultural enrichment of New Orleans
Cultural Organization Honor – 1 honoree recognizing an organization that has demonstrated sustained cultural impact, community leadership, innovative programming, and dedication to preserving and advancing New Orleans culture
Cultural Sectors Descriptions
CULINARY ARTS: Food-related cultural products, specialty food products, local non-chain restaurants & cafés, Culinary Instructor, Food Manufacturer, Specialty Food Shop, Mobile Vendor, Farm & Community Garden, Chef, and/or Caterer
DESIGN: Individual designers and firms involved in the communication arts, such as Graphic Designer, Technology, Game/Product Designer, Web Designer/Programmer, Fashion Designer, Costume Designer, Event Designer, Set Designer, Parade Float Designer, and Advertising/PR
ENTERTAINMENT: The performing arts (music, theater, and dance), individual performers, and the film industries: Actor, Comedian, Dancer, Indians, Marching Club, Musician, Social Aid & Pleasure Club, Film Production, Recording Studio, Music Instructors, and Tour Guides
LITERARY ARTS AND HUMANITIES: Individual Writers/Editors, books, periodicals, and newspaper publishing: Print Media, Web-based Media, Creative Writer, Blogger, Spoken Word Performer, Journalist, Bookstores, Libraries, and Publishing
PRESERVATION: Building arts and economic activities focused on the restoration and redevelopment of the built environment, including architecture, landscape architecture, and a percentage of construction activity focused on preservation and renovation: Building Arts Instructor, Architect, Interior Designer, Landscape Architect, Master/Preservation Craftsman
VISUAL ARTS AND CRAFTS: Individual artists and craftspeople, as well as the galleries and museums that present cultural products: Visual Artist, Photographer, Craft or Folk Artist, Jewelry Maker, Art Instructor, Art Gallery, Art Museum, Art Market & Festival, Art Supplier
Nominating Committee
The nominating committee will be comprised of distinguished individuals from the New Orleans cultural and business community, who will carefully evaluate and vote on the slate of nominees.
Nominating Guidelines
Eligibility Restrictions: New Orleans Tourism and Cultural Foundation (NOTCF) employees and board members are ineligible for nomination in any category.
Nominating Committee Restrictions: Members of the nominating committee are also precluded from being nominated in any category.
Completion Requirement: Failure to respond to all questions on the nomination form will result in the nomination being voided and not considered for recognition in any category.
Winners' Participation: Winners must agree to participate in a recorded interview that will be showcased during the gala and consent to having their headshots, logos, photos, and/or organizational materials displayed for promotional purposes.
Nomination Limit: Only one nomination may be submitted per form.
Complimentary Ticket: Winners will receive one complimentary ticket to the gala.
Application Review Process
Applications will be reviewed and scored using a matrix comprising key evaluation categories related to cultural impact, organizational sustainability, innovation, accessibility, community engagement, and preservation efforts. Scores will be calculated objectively and uniformly to ensure fairness and consistency throughout the review process.
Nominations Deadline
Nominations must be submitted using this form by 11:59 p.m. on July 31, 2026.