2020 Guyana Cultural Association of New York

Awards Nominations Request

Guyana Cultural Association of New York presents its annual Awards Ceremony on September 2nd, 2020. We are in an uncertain Covid19 condition which constrains hosting the event in Brooklyn, New York. Taking a positive perspective through our cultural lens, we are planning a virtual event.

WE INVITE NOMINATIONS

We will continue the established and unwavering acknowledgment and commendation of Guyanese who have contributed to our heritage and to the arts. In that regard, the 2020 theme is Reflection and Reaffirmation – Reviewing and showcasing our culture.  Recommitting and  restating our mission.

We will also recognize individuals and organizations whose unselfish work have lifted spirits and provided comfortable settings for all.Therefore, we request nominations of accomplishments that demonstrate actions of the best of us in these trying times in the homeland and the Diaspora. Displays of humanity are important and descriptions of  their impact are necessary for favorable evaluation.

GCA was founded in 2001  and has been the leader in recognizing cultural representatives who have motivated us to excellence. In that tradition, we will honor exemplars selected from global nominations of demonstrated, significant achievements in accomplishing the goals of our theme.  Nominations for awards are open until June 20, 2020.

Award Categories

Our awards celebrate outstanding contributors in the following categories:

  • Guyana Cultural Association Award
  • Guyana Cultural Association Award – Youth
  • Guyana Cultural Association Exemplary Award
  • Guyana Cultural Association Lifetime Achievement Award

What We Do

We accept nominations from anyone or entity and assess the submissions that are complete and on time. Nominations are open until June 20, 2020.

  • Nominations can be submitted for a person, or an entity, whose work fits within the theme – Reflection and Reaffirmation  Reviewing and showcasing our culture.  Recommitting and  restating our mission
  • Youth nominations must detail the academic and extracurricular accomplishments that position the nominee above the average in his or her area of scholastic and cultural activities.

Selection Criteria

A selection committee evaluates each nomination considering seven criteria: originality, scope, impact / influence, integration, pioneering spirit, challenges, and achievements.

Please read the Selection Criteria details for more information. Selections will only be made from Nominations received on time, complete with photographs.

The Nomination Form can be found below.  Past honorees are listed here: https://guyfolkfest.org/archives-awards.

Your questions about the GCA 2020 Awards can be sent to  AwardsNominations@guyfolkfest.org   

Selection Criteria

  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. Impact/Influence: 
    Did the idea, expression, or product/innovation have economic, political, cultural, and social consequences?
  4. 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?
  5. Pioneering spirit: 
    Pioneering spirit refers to an idea, expression, and product or innovation that was introduced even in the face of derision.
  6. 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.
  7. Achievements: 
    This refers to the nominee’s body of work. It is not a mere quantitative measure – “Nuff is not always the best.”
  8. Youth – Outstanding Achievement: 
    The nominee must attain one of the top three grade rankings in his or her institutions programs in the humanities, creative and expressive arts. Evaluation emphasis will be placed on accomplishments in music, theatre arts, Caribbean history and Caribbean literature. If the latter two are not available in the nominee’s school’s curriculum, world history and world literature will be accepted as substitutes.

© June 2010 (revised)

Eligibility  
The Guyana Cultural Association Lifetime Achievement Award is reserved for Guyanese nationals. The Guyana Cultural Association Exemplary Award and the Guyana Cultural Association Award are offered to any individual or entity. Youth awardees are either born in Guyana or have at least one parent who is Guyanese or of Guyanese descent.

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 before June 20, 2020
NOMINATION DEADLINE IS before June 20, 2020
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: AwardsNominations@guyfolkfest.org and reference your nominee’s name for our information.  

[contact-form-7 id=”17649″ title=”Nomination Form”]