The New Orleans Tourism and Cultural Fund (NOTCF) is asking for public nominations in anticipation of the 3rd annual NOTCF Honors Gala on Saturday, January 11, 2025, at Mardi Gras World. This prestigious event aims to channel revelry, promote inclusiveness, and create an immersive cultural experience that celebrates the people of New Orleans and their contributions to the city’s vibrant cultural landscape.

The gala will honor exceptional artists across eight distinct categories, recognizing their dedication to shaping the colorful fabric of New Orleans. Awards will be presented to one honoree in each of the following categories:

Emerging Artist: One honoree will be recognized for their promising talent and potential in their respective field.

Lifetime Achievement: One honoree will be recognized for their outstanding and long-standing contributions to the cultural fabric of New Orleans.

Established Artist: One honoree will be selected from each of the following cultural sectors:

• Culinary Arts: This category includes food-related cultural products, specialty food products, local non-chain restaurants and cafes, culinary instructors, food manufacturers, specialty food shops, mobile vendors, farms and community gardens, chefs and caterers.
• Design: Honorees can include individual designers and firms involved in graphic design, technology, game/product design, web design/programming, fashion design, costume design, event design, set design, parade float design and advertising/PR.
• Entertainment: This sector encompasses the performing arts (music, theater, and dance), individual performers, and the film industry, including actors, comedians, dancers, musicians, social aid & pleasure clubs, film production, recording studios, music instructors and tour guides.
• Literary Arts and Humanities: This category includes individual writers/editors, book, periodical, and newspaper publishing, print media, web-based media, creative writers, bloggers, spoken word performers, journalists, bookstores, libraries and publishers.
• Preservation: Honorees in this sector are involved in the restoration and redevelopment of the built environment, including architecture, landscape architecture, and preservation-focused construction activities. This includes building arts instructors, architects, interior designers, landscape architects and master/preservation craftsmen.
• Visual Arts and Crafts: This category includes individual artists and craftspeople as well as galleries and museums presenting cultural products, such as visual artists, photographers, craft or folk artists, jewelry makers, art instructors, art galleries, art museums, art markets and festivals and art suppliers.

Nomination Process

Nominations are open until midnight on Monday, July 1, 2024. The nominating committee, comprised of individuals from the New Orleans cultural and business community, will review and vote on the slate of nominees. NOTCF employees, board members and members of the nominating committee are precluded from being nominated.

Nominations must be submitted through the official form available at notcf.com. All applications will be reviewed and scored using a matrix of five questions to ensure an objective and uniform evaluation process. Winners will be required to participate in a recorded interview and provide headshots for promotional purposes. Each winner will receive one complimentary ticket to the gala.

For more information on the nomination process, guidelines and to submit a nomination, visit notcf.com.

2025 Honors Gala