By Julia Duvall
Nominations are being accepted for the annual Mountain Heritage Awards, which recognize
contributions of regional artists, nonprofit leaders, and an array of organizations
for their commitment to Appalachian culture and for the preservation or interpretation
of the history of Southern Appalachia.
Presented by the Mountain Heritage Center, recipients are honored during ceremonies
at Mountain Heritage Day which will be held on Saturday, Sept. 30, at Western Carolina
University.
Honorees are selected by a committee comprised of community and WCU representatives.
The awards recognize an individual and an organization for distinguished service,
accomplishments, influence or expertise in maintaining the cultural viability of the
region.
Nominations should be five pages or less, with a list of the nominee’s accomplishments, awards
and recognition; information about the nominee’s influence in the relevant field of
expertise, such as crafts, music or organizational cause; or information about the
nominee’s role as a teacher, advocate, leader or curator of mountain culture. Include
a website address if applicable; the mailing address of the nominee; the founding
date for organizational nominees.
Nominations should be delivered no later than Monday, July 17, to the Mountain Heritage
Center, located in Room 240 of WCU’s Hunter Library; mailed to Mountain Heritage Center,
1 University Drive, Cullowhee N.C. 28723; or emailed to mhd@wcu.edu.
Recent award winners include Louise and Butch Goings of Cherokee and Cowee School
Arts and Heritage Center in Macon County.
For more information about the history of the festival and the awards, visit mountainheritageday.com.
