Governor Josh Stein has announced that the 2025 North Carolina Awards will take place on November 13 in Asheville. The event, known as the state’s highest civilian honor, will see all net proceeds directed to a fund supporting communities affected by Hurricane Helene.
“I am proud that this year’s North Carolina Awards will be held in western North Carolina to help shine a light on the fact that the area is open for folks to enjoy,” said Governor Josh Stein. “This year, we will honor the very best of North Carolina while encouraging tourism and helping support the ongoing recovery out west.”
NC Department of Natural and Cultural Resources Secretary Pamela B. Cashwell added, “For more than 60 years, the North Carolina Awards have celebrated the outstanding people who make North Carolina a great place to live, learn, and work. We are excited to host one of our state’s most prestigious events in Asheville this year and to dedicate proceeds from the event to western North Carolina recovery efforts.”
Governor Stein and Visit NC have recently launched an initiative titled “Rediscover the Unforgettable” aimed at boosting tourism in western North Carolina following Hurricane Helene. This initiative was announced during the reopening of Chimney Rock State Park in June.
The awards ceremony will be held at Grove Park Inn with tickets available soon. Established by the General Assembly in 1961 and managed by the NC Department of Natural and Cultural Resources, these awards recognize notable achievements by citizens in literature, science, fine arts, and public service.
Notable past recipients include William Friday, James Taylor, Etta Baker, Maya Angelou, Lee Smith, Eric Church, Selma Burke, and Branford Marsalis.
