Back to news Awards

Bright Lights 2024 Tickets Available Now

On Tuesday, April 23, the Louisiana Endowment for the Humanities (LEH) and Lieutenant Governor of Louisiana Billy Nungesser will join forces for an annual celebration of the brightest lights in Louisiana humanities. The 2023 Bright Lights Awards Dinner will recognize the recipients of the LEH’s Humanities Awards, honoring individuals and organizations who have made significant contributions to the study and understanding of the humanities.

TICKETS ARE SOLD OUT

The 2024 Humanist of the Year is Richard “Dickie” Landry. A native of Cecilia, Louisiana, Landry is a true Renaissance man whose talents range from documentary photography and abstract painting to saxophone-playing and composing. During his 60-year career, Landry used his camera to document New York’s art scene, opened exhibitions for artist Robert Rauschenberg, and performed as part of the legendary Philip Glass Ensemble. He’s also a connector, someone who has used his network to promote and elevate his fellow Louisiana musicians to the national and international spotlight.

Additional 2024 Humanities Awards include:

  • Champion of Culture: National WWII Museum’s Dr. Nick Mueller
  • Chair’s Award for Institutional Support: Charles Lamar Family Foundation
  • Documentary Photographer of the Year: Ben Depp
  • Humanities Book of the Year: The Great Power of Small Nations: Indigenous Diplomacy in the Gulf South by Elizabeth Ellis
  • Humanities Documentary Film of the Year: Louisiana Public Broadcasting’s The Precipice directed by Ben Johnson and produced by Linda Midgett
  • Lifetime Contributions to the Humanities: Freddi Williams Evans
  • Museum Exhibition of the Year: The Louisiana State Museum at the Cabildo’s Creole New Orleans, Honey!
  • Light Up for Literacy: Eat and Read at Melba’s Jane Wolfe

The Louisiana Endowment for the Humanities is the state affiliate for the federal National Endowment for the Humanities and is dedicated to increasing access and appreciation of the humanities throughout Louisiana’s 64 parishes.

The 2024 Bright Lights Awards Dinner will take place at the Capitol Park Museum in Baton Rouge. The dinner begins at 7 p.m., with a patron party beginning at 6 p.m. Tickets to the Bright Lights Awards Dinner begin at $250 per person. To purchase tickets or for more information, visit LEH.org or call (504) 356-0517.