Nominations Open for Seven Awards
Celebrate artists and arts organizations by nominating them for an award
TORONTO, September 13, 2023 - Nominations are now open for seven Toronto Arts Foundation Awards. Offering cash prizes of up to $20,000, the awards celebrate Toronto arts organizations, artists and arts leaders for their artistic excellence, cultural leadership and contributions to the city.
Anyone may submit a nomination for the following awards:
▲ Arts for Youth Award: a $20,000 cash prize, with finalists receiving $2,000 each. 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 generously supported by Martha Burns, Jim Fleck and Sandra and Jim Pitblado. The finalist prizes are supported by Diana Bennett and Spencer Lanthier.
▲ Breakthrough Artist Award: a $10,000 cash prize, with finalists receiving $2,000 each. The award celebrates the accomplishments and future potential of an emerging Toronto artist working in any discipline, and is intended to support the development or completion of new work. The award is generously supported by The Azrieli Foundation.
▲ Breakthrough Jazz Artist Award (formally Emerging Jazz Artist Award): a $10,000 cash prize with finalists receiving $2,000 each. The award celebrates an outstanding Toronto-based jazz artist with two to seven years of experience in the field, as well as artists who may have devoted their career to supporting other artists and are now able to focus on their own solo work. The award is generously supported by Michael Bourgeois and Marilyn Legge.
▲ Celebration of Cultural Life Award: a $10,000 cash prize, with finalists receiving $2,000 each. The award recognizes excellence in a senior arts practitioner or leader (a performer, teacher, administrator and/or creator working in any arts discipline, including architecture and design), whose work is a celebration of life through the arts. The award is generously supported by Maureen and Victor Dodig. In addition to the prize money, the 2024 recipient will receive a complimentary week-long stay at Valleyview Artist Retreat.
▲ Community Arts Award: a $10,000 cash prize, with finalists receiving $2,000 each. The award celebrates an individual artist or arts organization or collective that has made a significant contribution in Toronto by working with, in and for communities, while increasing access to arts and culture. In 2024, the award will be presented to an individual. The award is generously sponsored by MOD Developments Inc.
▲ Muriel Sherrin Award: a $10,000 cash prize, with finalists receiving $1,000 each. 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. In 2024, the award will be presented in the field of dance. The award is supported by the Muriel Sherrin Fund.In addition to the prize money, the 2024 recipient will receive a complimentary week-long stay at Valleyview Artist Retreat.
▲ Newcomer Artist Award: $2,500 micro-awards to six newcomer artists. The award aids the integration of newcomer artists into Toronto and Canada by supporting their artistic careers. Newcomer artists living across the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) and working in a range of disciplines are eligible for the award. The award is part of the Foundation’s Newcomer Spotlight Program, generously sponsored by RBC Foundation.
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 must 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 Monday, November 27, 2023, 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 the awards and how to submit a nomination, contact Hasanika Mediwake at hasanika[at]torontoarts[dot]org