Nomination Call for Five Awards

Toronto Arts Foundation Awards recognize Toronto's finest artists, arts organizations, and arts supporters, celebrating their contributions to our creative city.

TORONTO, September 13, 2022 – Nominations are now being accepted for the 2023 Toronto Arts Foundation Awards. The Awards celebrate artistic excellence, cultural leadership and contribution to the arts by Toronto arts organizations, artists and arts supporters. Anyone may submit a nomination.

Five awards are being offered in 2023:

Arts for Youth Award – a $20,000 cash prize, with finalists receiving $2,000. The award celebrates an individual, collective or organization that has demonstrated an outstanding commitment to engaging Toronto’s youth through the arts. Established in 2007, the award is supported by Martha Burns, Jim Fleck, and Sandra and Jim Pitblado. The finalist prizes are supported by Diana Bennett and Spencer Lanthier. The Arts for Youth Award is presented every year at the Mayor's Arts Lunch.

Breakthrough Artist Award (formerly Emerging Artist Award) – a $10,000 cash prize, with finalists receiving $2,000. The award celebrates the accomplishments and future potential of an emerging Toronto artist working in any discipline. Established in 2006, the award is sponsored by Susan Crocker and John Hunkin and is intended to support the development or completion of new work. The finalist awards were established in 2014. The Breakthrough Artist Award is presented every year at the Mayor's Arts Lunch.

Emerging Jazz Artist Award – a $10,000 cash prize, with finalists receiving $1,000. The award furthers the career of an outstanding emerging jazz artist and is intended to support the pre-production, production, and/or recording of original music composed by the recipient. Established in 2014, the award is supported by Cheryl and Manuel Buchwald, and will be given out annually for at least 10 years. The Emerging Jazz Artist Award is presented every year at the TD Toronto Jazz Festival.

Margo Bindhardt and Rita Davies Award – a $10,000 cash prize, with finalists receiving $1,000. The award celebrates an individual artist, creator, volunteer or administrator who has demonstrated creative cultural leadership in the development of arts and culture in Toronto. The award is supported in part by John and Raphaela Dunlap. The finalist awards are supported by Neera Chopra. The Margo Bindhardt and Rita Davies Award is presented every two years at the Mayor’s Arts Lunch.

Muriel Sherrin Award – a $10,000 cash prize with finalists receiving $1,000. The award celebrates an artist or creator who has made a contribution to the cultural life of Toronto through outstanding achievement in music or dance. The recipient will also have participated in international initiatives, including touring, studying abroad and participating in artist exchanges. In addition to the prize money, the 2023 recipient will receive a complimentary week long stay at Valleyview Artist Retreat. The award rotates from music to dance in alternating prize years. In 2023, the award will be presented in the field of music. Those applying to the November 28, 2022 deadline are nominating for the field of music. The Muriel Sherrin Award is presented every two years at the Mayor's Arts Lunch.

Toronto Arts Foundation Awards are designed to heighten public awareness of arts and artists in Toronto by recognizing artistic excellence and achievement. These awards are presented in recognition of a body of creative accomplishment, rather than for specific works or achievements.

All nominations will be submitted online through the Toronto Arts Foundation Nomination Portal. Nominations must include a biography, nomination rationale and accompanying support material where required.

The deadline to nominate an organization, collective or individual for the above awards is November 28, 2022 at 11:59 p.m. EST. 

For more information about the awards, or to learn more about making a nomination, visit torontoartsfoundation.org/awards.


About Toronto Arts Foundation

Toronto Arts Foundation is a charitable organization that sparks creative connections, spotlights artistic excellence, and supports vibrant cultural growth throughout our diverse city through private-sector investment. To learn more or to make a donation, visit torontoartsfoundation.org.

Contact information

For questions about eligibility and the nomination process please contact: Christy DiFelice, Award Program Manager at christy@torontoartscouncil.org or at 416-392-6802 x 202

For other inquiries, contact: Sarah Gladki, Communications Manager, Toronto Arts Foundation, at sarah@torontoarts.org.