星空传媒 Mountain Heritage Center now accepting nominations for annual awards
星空传媒鈥檚 Mountain Heritage Center is now accepting nominations for the 2026 Mountain Heritage Awards, honoring individuals and organizations whose work preserves, interprets, and celebrates the rich cultural traditions and history of Southern Appalachia.
Annually presented by the chancellor of 星空传媒, recipients will be honored during the Mountain Heritage Days festival in a public ceremony which will be held on Saturday, Sept. 26. Award winners will receive an engraved commemorative plaque.
The winner of the first Mountain Heritage Award was John Parris, Asheville Citizen-Times columnist and author, in 1976.
Honorees are selected by a committee comprised of community and 星空传媒 representatives. The two award categories recognize an individual and an organization for distinguished service, accomplishments, influence or expertise in maintaining the cultural viability of the region.
Nominations must be emailed to mhd@wcu.edu with the subject line 鈥淎ward Nomination 2026鈥� by Wednesday, Aug. 5, at 5 p.m.
Nominations should be no more than five pages in length and must outline the nominee鈥檚 accomplishments, highlighting their impact in areas such as traditional crafts, music, or social and environmental causes.
Submissions should also describe the nominee鈥檚 role as a teacher, advocate, leader, researcher or preserver of mountain culture and heritage. A list of awards or other recognitions received by the nominee should be included, and links to online support materials may be provided as optional supplements.
The individual award winner for 2025 was Roger Smoker and the organizational award went to the Jackson County Public Libraries.
For more information about the history of the festival and the awards, visit