Our Work

Humanities Awards

Recognizing Louisiana's luminaries

For nearly 40 years, the LEH Humanities Awards have honored the historians, filmmakers, photographers, poets, artists, singer-songwriters, folklorists, educators, librarians, archivists, preservationists, and more who provide access to the source material that grounds exploratory and interpretive humanities programming.

Awards recognize documentary films and photography, humanities-themed books, museum exhibitions, literacy efforts, and individuals or organizations who have been longtime humanities advocates, with the efforts recognized in 64 Parishes magazine and at the annual Bright Lights Awards Dinner.

Learn more about the Humanities Awards
Attend the Bright Lights Awards Dinner

The Awards

Awarded in partnership with the Lieutenant Governor of Louisiana and given to an individual for invaluable, lasting, and recognized contributions to Louisiana’s cultural landscape

Awarded in recognition of significant financial or programmatic support of the LEH’s mission and programs

Awarded to individuals or organizations that have made a lasting mark through their support and promotion of Louisiana’s cultural resources

Honors documentary photographers whose work captures Louisiana’s history, culture, and/or peoples.

Awarded to the book that best exemplifies scholarship on Louisiana topics or by Louisiana writers

Awarded to the documentary film that best exemplifies scholarship on Louisiana topics or by Louisiana documentary filmmakers

Honors individuals who have made significant and lasting contributions to literacy efforts in the state

Presented in partnership with the State Library of Louisiana’s Center for the Book

Honors citizens who have supported and been involved in public appreciation of issues central to the humanities

Recognizes an exhibition held during the prior two calendar years that brought new insights to our understanding of the state, its artists, and/or its history. Awarded biannually in even-numbered years.

Recognizes publicly accessible digital humanities projects produced in the previous two calendar years, including websites, virtual exhibitions, podcasts, and other born-digital initiatives that bring new insights to and/or significantly improve the public’s understanding of the state, its history, and/or its culture. Awarded biannually in odd-numbered years.

NEWS & MEDIA

Tickets Available Now for Bright Lights Awards Dinner

Tickets are available now for LEH’s 2023 Bright Lights Awards Dinner, presented by Entergy. The event is taking place Thursday, May 11, and will recognize our Humanities Awards winners from this year and the last four years, with live music, amazing food, and an incredible silent auction, all at LEH’s historic Turners’ Hall and The Helis Foundation John Scott Center.

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Announcing the 2023 Humanities Awards Winners

Chef John Folse—culinary professional, food historian, tv personality, restauranteur, and Louisiana culture bearer—has been named the Louisiana Endowment for the Humanities’ 2023 Humanist of the Year.

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Nominations for the 2023 Humanities Awards opening August 1

On August 1 the LEH will begin accepting public nominations for the 2023 Humanities Awards, our annual program honoring Louisianans who have made outstanding contributions to the understanding of the state’s culture and history.

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