The National Arts and Culture Awards recognise those who attain a level of merit in their artistic discipline, contribute to the arts, culture and heritage of  the Cayman Islands and support the work of the Cayman National Cultural Foundation. The awards have undergone a change both in eligibility requirements and the physical award.

What were previously The Cultural Heritage Lifetime Achievement Award (Radley Gourzong Award) and Cultural Heritage Award are now The CNCF Heritage Cross Medal.  The awards previously given for artistic endeavour, achievement and excellence are now The CNCF Star for Creativity in the Arts Medal. Each medal has gold, silver and bronze divisions. CNCF Artistic Director Henry Muttoo designed both medals.

Awards are also presented for Volunteer of the Year, Sponsor of the Year and the Chairman’s Award for outstanding long term support of CNCF’s work. The awards presentation is a CNCF initiative that began in 1990.

The awards are not restricted to those people who work with the Cultural Foundation. Each year there is a call for nominations from cultural and heritage organizations and the general public. These organizations submit nominations for The CNCF Star for Creativity in the Arts in their particular disciplines. The general public makes nominations for The CNCF Heritage Cross. For a pdf version of the Heritage Cross criteria click here.

Make A Nomination

If you would like to make a nomination for the CNCF Heritage Cross, submit your nomination in writing either by post to: Arts & Culture Award, PO Box 30201, Grand Cayman KY1-1201, CAYMAN ISLANDS. Or by email to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . Give a full description of the nominee's work including the time period. Please provide contact information for you and the nominee.