North Carolina Heritage Awards
Forecasted
North Carolina Heritage Awards honor the state’s most eminent folk artists, recognizing their distinguished standing within North Carolina’s folk arts rather than funding a research study or project.
Funder: North Carolina Department of Natural & Cultural Resources
Due Dates (Anticipated): January 2027 (Nomination deadline)
Funding Amounts: Awards presented every other year
Summary: The North Carolina Heritage Awards honor North Carolina’s most eminent folk artists.
Key Information: Recognition is focused on North Carolina folk artists.
Description
The North Carolina Heritage Awards recognize North Carolina’s most eminent folk artists. Established in 1989, the program is administered through the North Carolina Arts Council, part of the North Carolina Department of Natural & Cultural Resources. Awards are presented every other year, with recognition of distinguished artists and their standing within the state’s folk arts as the program’s central purpose.
The awards honor artists rather than support a particular research study or project. Many recipients have subsequently received national and international recognition, including National Heritage Fellowships from the National Endowment for the Arts. This history reflects the distinction celebrated by the state awards and their focus on North Carolina’s folk artists.
