GUAA & Clerc Cultural Awards

The GUAA presents three annual awards:

• GUAA Above and Beyond Volunteer Award in honor of Pauline ‘Polly’ Peikoff, E-’36

To an individual, deaf, deafblind, hard-of-hearing, or hearing, from within the Deaf community who has contributed to the community through volunteerism, separate from their employment.

• GUAA Advocacy and Social Justice Award in honor of Gertrude Scott Galloway, ’51, PhD ’93 & H-’02

To an individual who has been a strong advocate for social justice and equality (e.g., racial and gender equality, human rights) for people who are deaf, deafblind, and hard of hearing.

• Outstanding Young Alumnus Award

To a young alumnus or alumna of Gallaudet University who has graduated or left the University within the past 15 years and has accomplished notable achievements, bringing favorable recognition to our alma mater.

GUAA Awards Nominations

Clerc Cultural Awards

The Clerc Cultural Awards were established by the CCC and GUAA to honor outstanding contributions to the Deaf and Hard of Hearing community.

The 3 Awards: Innovation, Art, and Advocacy are presented to either an individual, group or organization that has made outstanding efforts at the local, state, national or global level.

• Innovation Award

The award honors those individuals, groups, or organizations who have created and implemented innovative programs, practices, partnerships, policies, and activities that enhance the life and culture of Deaf, DeafBlind, hard of hearing people.

Innovation is the creation, development and implementation of a new product, process, or service, with the aim of improving efficiency, effectiveness, or competitive advantage. This award recognizes those organizations and people who bring new ideas to life: whether that idea is big or small, these ideas change the deaf experience.

• Advocacy Award

The Advocacy Award honors individuals, groups, or organizations whose actions raise awareness, create positive changes and who have a direct impact on the quality of life in the deaf community.

Advocacy is an activity by an individual or group that aims to influence decisions within political, economic, and social institutions. This includes activities and publications to influence public policy, laws and budget by using facts, their relationships, the media, and messaging government officials and the public.

• Art Award

The Art Award recognizes an individual, group, or organization that made extraordinary contributions through the arts to promote, enrich, and develop appreciation of deaf culture.

The award recognizes those who lift our existence to a higher level by the beauty or inspiration of their creative talent. Through visual art such as a painter, sculptor, writer, poet, cinematographer, photographer, graphic or fashion designer, architect; or performance art such as dance, theater or other performing, creative or visionary artist, whose work constitutes a significant contribution.

Nominees may be either deaf or hearing and do not have to be alumni of Gallaudet University.

Nominations can be made by anyone, but self-nominations are not permitted. A second nominator is required for the nomination to be considered, and the second nominator cannot be a current member of the GUAA. The awards may be given posthumously. All submitted nominations will be considered for up to two award cycles.

CC Awards Nominations

To view the archived LCCF Awards, please visit the Archived Laurent Clerc Cultural Fund Awards