The National Willa Cather Center Receives 2025 Rising Star Award

The National Willa Cather Center has been honored with a 2025 Rising Star Award from the NEBRASKAland Foundation. The award was presented on Wednesday, December 3, by NEBRASKAland Foundation board president John Zimmer.

Established in 1999, the Rising Star Award recognizes exceptional public or private tourism attractions, as well as major expansions that strengthen Nebraska’s economy and reflect the spirit of the Good Life. This year, the Foundation selected the National Willa Cather Center for its exemplary contributions to literary and cultural engagement across the state.

The Foundation cited the Center’s innovative educational programming, dynamic arts initiatives, and strategic preservation efforts, work that continues to revitalize Red Cloud’s historic literary landscape. By honoring the past while boldly shaping the future of cultural tourism, the Center has demonstrated the qualities of a true rising star.

The National Willa Cather Center views this recognition as inspiration to continue its mission as both a guardian of literary heritage and an active force in Nebraska’s cultural life.