Nominations now open for Louisiana Endowment for the Humanities’ 42nd annual Bright Lights Awards

Written By Alicia Vial

Louisiana’s highest cultural honor celebrates the luminaries, tradition-bearers and storytellers preserving the state’s history and heritage

NEW ORLEANS — The Louisiana Endowment for the Humanities (LEH) has officially opened the nomination window for the 2027 Bright Lights Awards, inviting communities across the state to help recognize the individuals, institutions and organizations safeguarding and shaping Louisiana's cultural legacy.

Formerly known as the Humanities Awards, this prestigious program has stood as the state’s premier cultural benchmark since 1985. For more than 40 years, the Bright Lights Awards have illuminated the vital work of those who deepen our understanding of Louisiana history, literature, film and community life.

Past recipients represent a veritable who’s who of Louisiana cultural luminaries whose contributions have defined the state's identity on a global scale. Past honorees include civil rights pillar Dr. Norman C. Francis, culinary icons Leah Chase and Chef John Folse, musical innovator Michael Doucet, acclaimed biographer Walter Isaacson and decorated author and illustrator William Joyce, to name a few.

“Every year we pause to shine a light on those who explore Louisiana’s past, reflect on our present and imagine our future,” said LEH President and Executive Director Miranda Restovic. “From legendary tradition-bearers and culinary icons to scholars and community leaders, our past honorees reflect the absolute highest caliber of civic and cultural achievement. We look forward to continuing to illuminate our state's remarkable stories with the 2027 Bright Lights Awards.”

Public nominations are open across six distinct categories through Oct. 20.  

  • Lifetime Contributions to the Humanities

  • Documentary Photographer of the Year

  • Humanities Documentary Film of the Year

  • Humanities Book of the Year (Note early deadline of Oct. 9)

  • Light Up for Literacy

  • Best in Digital Humanities

Awards for Humanist of the Year, Champion of Culture and the Chair’s Award for Institutional Support are nominated and chosen by LEH’s board of directors. All selected honorees will be publicly announced in January 2027. Winners will be celebrated in the pages of LEH’s award-winning 64 Parishes magazine and formally recognized at the annual Bright Lights Awards Dinner, co-hosted by the LEH and Lt. Gov. Billy Nungesser in Spring 2027.

Full nomination guidelines and category-specific requirements are available at www.leh.org. Complete nominations for all categories must be submitted no later than 5 p.m. Oct. 20 (except for Humanities Book of the Year nominations, due Oct. 9).

###

About Louisiana Endowment for the Humanities
The Louisiana Endowment for the Humanities is a non-profit organization dedicated to providing educational opportunities to all residents of the state. Guided by the vision that everyone can realize their full potential through the humanities, LEH partners with communities, institutions and individuals to provide grant-supported outreach programs, literacy initiatives for all ages, publications, film and radio documentaries, museum exhibitions, public lectures, library projects, 64 Parishes magazine and other diverse public humanities programming. For more information, visit www.leh.org. 

Alicia Vial

Alicia Vial is a New Orleans native with more than a decade of experience elevating client stories and leading crisis response. As the senior director of strategy, Alicia acts as a leader within the Gambel Communications team ensuring each agency team member is positioned to deliver strategic public relations services that meet the highest standards of the industry. In addition to supporting the agency’s long-term business growth and development, she coordinates day-to-day account services and oversees strategic direction while staying abreast of best practices and industry trends to provide innovative solutions to meet client’s needs.

Before joining Gambel Communications, Alicia served as the communications director for the Louisiana SPCA, the oldest and largest animal welfare organization in Louisiana that impacts more than 74,000 animals per year. During her nearly eight-year tenure, Alicia oversaw numerous crises, served on national communication taskforces, oversaw all aspects of internal and external relations and worked alongside the development department to raise critical funding. Prior to that, she worked in the fast-paced New Orleans hospitality industry focusing on digital public relations for multiple hotels.

Alicia is a member of the Public Relations Association of Louisiana (PRAL), Southern Public Relations Federation (SPRF), a board member of the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) New Orleans Chapter and a member of the New Orleans Regional Leadership Institute. An accredited public relations practitioner (APR), Alicia is also certified in crisis communications, organizational leadership, content marketing and social media.

A well respected and trusted public relations practitioner, Alicia has been recognized by SPRF as a ‘Senior Practitioner of the Year’. Dubbed early on in her career as one to watch, she also received the ‘Rising Star’ award by PRAL and was profiled in St. Charles Avenue Magazine as part of their Young Bloods series. Most recently, she was recognized at PRSA’s annual Fleurish Awards and received four Awards of Excellence for her work along with the ‘Plate Spinner’ award for her efforts on the board of directors for the chapter.

An LSU graduate, Alicia received a bachelor's degree in mass communications with a concentration in public relations and minors in business administration and leadership development. She is a frequent speaker and presenter on public relations topics, most recently presenting at the Jefferson Economic Development Commission and SPRF annual conference.

When Alicia is not at work, you can find her at the ballpark with her three boys or cheering on the Tigers in Death Valley.

Next

Beken Bio awarded SBIR Phase II grant to advance ovarian cancer detection technology