The Northeast Louisiana Arts Council announced the finalists for the 40th Annual Northeast Louisiana Arts Awards following the organization’s first-ever public voting process.
For nearly 40 years, the Arts Awards have celebrated the artists, educators, organizations, businesses, volunteers, and advocates who shape the cultural landscape of Region 8. This year marked a milestone for the program, as finalists were determined through a community driven nomination and public voting format that generated more than 7,400 votes from across northeast Louisiana.
“The response from the community exceeded every expectation,” said Abigail Handy-Garcia, development and grants officer for the Northeast Louisiana Arts Council. “This year’s public voting format allowed the region to directly participate in recognizing the people and organizations making a lasting impact through the arts.”
The 2026 Arts Awards finalists are:
Arts Educator of the Year (K–12)
- Danny Mejia
- Jason Gray
- Joni Dollar
- Deana Revels
- Jeanne Patterson
Higher Education Arts Educator of the Year
- Claire Vangelisti
- Joey Slaughter
- Emily Ezell
- Brooke Cassady
- Megan Smith
Visual Artist of the Year
- Ashley Greer
- Natalie Sturgis
- Vitus Shell
- Stacy Medaries
- Krewe Creative
Performing Artist of the Year
- Emily Stogner
- Taylor Michiels
- Jackson Culp
- Moira O’Connor
- The John L. Brown Sr. Memorial Scholarship Band
- Emerging Artist
- Kassie Greer
- Jari Richardson
- Chloë Alexander
- Jansyn Jenkins
- Daija Essien
Literary Artist of the Year
- John Brown
- Jamie Mayes
- Monique Shantay
Community Arts Impact Award
- Madge Ross
- Brandon Virgil Sr.
- Dr. Alicia Jones
- Cathy Airhart-Webb
BART Award (Business Art Award)
- Tommy’s Tees
- Creative Exchange
- KEDM
- Flying Tiger Brewery
- The Good Daze
Volunteer of the Year
- Eleanor Hatfield
- Taylor Michiels
- Jennifer Haynes
- Nirali Patel
- Patrik Pyburn
Award recipients will be announced live during the 40th Annual Northeast Louisiana Arts Awards celebration on Thursday, June 25, 2026, at 6 p.m. at the Strauss Theatre Center in Monroe. Limited tickets are available by calling 318-397-6717 or emailing info@nelaarts.org. Seating is limited.
Additional information is available at the Arts Council's Arts Awards website.