Guyana Folk Festival Awards Nominations

The Guyana Cultural Association Wordsworth McAndrew Awards 2008 - Request for Nominees

May 12, 2008

The Guyana Cultural Association of New York 2008 Awards ceremony will take place in New York City in June 2008. Under the theme of Caribbean People in Harmony through Culture, the Awards ceremony is the first of a number of events that will be presented over several months. In keeping with Guyana Cultural Association (GCA) selection criteria and tradition, the Awardees are expected to have a sustained, high level of skillfulness in their respective endeavors.

The GCA Wordsworth McAndrew Awards will recognize the achievements of individuals and entities in cultural development and presentation. We plan to acknowledge the contributions by individuals, youth, business leaders and organizations.

Accordingly, we invite nominations for four categories of awards in the cultural and creative sectors. The nominations are for a youth, aged up to 25 years; a business person; and eight persons or organizations. The deadline for nomination is May 26, 2008.

Our Awards Selection committee will evaluate each nomination considering seven criteria: originality, scope, impact/ influence, integration, pioneering spirit, challenges and achievements. Every Awardee's work must meet a distinction considered an exemplary model that can inspire others.

The work to be honored would be observed in one or more forms and bring a sense of pride to Guyanese. We are particularly interested in honoring those who are respected in their local community or field, either in Guyana or abroad. We are keen on giving recognition to those who may have had a lower media profile but whose contribution have been substantial and consistent with our theme.

Please submit nominations by e-mail to Awardsnominations@guyfolkfest.org. Include the nominee's name, a photograph, contact information, and a summary explaining why the nominee deserves to be in the lead in a particular category.

Hard copy (paper) nominations can be mailed to Claire Goring, Cultural Director, Guyana Cultural Association, 1368 E.89 Street, Suite 2, Brooklyn, NY 11236. More nomination details, including eligibility and selection criteria, can be seen here: http://www.guyfolkfest.org/awards_nominations2008.htm.

The deadline for receipt of nominations is May 26, 2008. We ask that the work and accomplishments of nominees be closely aligned with the 2008 Festival theme: Caribbean People in Harmony through Culture.

Sincerely,
Ronald H. Lammy, Tangerine Clarke
Co-Chairs, Guyana Cultural Association of New York

Selection Criteria

Originality:
This attribute refers to the nature of the idea, expression, or product/innovation. The term “expression” issued here refers to more than verbal expressions and can include any manifestation of Guyanese creativity from plait bread, butter flap, peddle pushers, music, paintings, our cuisine, etc.
Scope:
Did the idea, expression, product/innovation have ramifications /consequences beyond the village, country, region, etc? Has it been long lasting? Here we also consider factors that could have constrained or restricted the scope of the idea, expression, product /innovation.
Impact/Influence:
Did the idea, expression, or product/innovation have economic, political, cultural, and social consequences?
Integration:
Did the idea, expression, or product or innovation contribute to social, cultural, and political harmony? Also, did it lead to the improvement of cultural understanding?
Pioneering spirit:
Pioneering spirit refers to an idea, expression, and product/innovation that was introduced even in the face of derision.
Challenges:
This refers to nominees who have overcome physical, psychological, economic, social, residential, cultural, and political barriers to make a contribution that satisfies some of the criteria or attributed listed at 1 through 5.
Achievements:
This refers to the nominee’s body of work. It is not a mere quantitative measure – “Nuff is not always the best.”

Eligibility

The Guyana Cultural Association Wordsworth McAndrew Award is reserved for Guyanese nationals.
Other awards may be presented at the discretion of the GCA Board and eligibility will be stated in each request for nominees.

Completing a Nomination

Focus on the selection criteria that describe the nominee’s contribution.
Be specific and concise. Submit 100 or more words but do not exceed 500.
Assume the review committee knows nothing about the nominee.
Provide a photograph with your form.
Email your completed form before May 26, 2008
Send paper nominations to:

Claire A. Goring
Guyana Cultural Association of NY
1368 E. 89^th St., Suite 2
Brooklyn, NY 11236

NOMINATION DEADLINE IS May 26, 2008

SELECTION WILL BE MADE FROM NOMINATIONS RECEIVED ON TIME AND THAT ARE COMPLETE.

It is the responsibility of the nominator to ensure that the nomination is complete.

IMPORTANT
Please e-mail the photograph in the JPEG format as a separate attachment to: AwardsNomination@guyfolkfest.org and reference your nominee's name for our information.