Arts Awards

Arts in Education Award

The Arts in Education Award recognizes an individual, collective or organization that has demonstrated an outstanding commitment to engaging St. Catharines residents through arts education activities. Award recipient receives $500 and personalized handmade glass sculpture.

Emerging Artist Award

The Emerging Artist Award is presented to an emerging St. Catharines artist working in any discipline to recognize accomplishments and future potential. Emerging Artists are establishing careers in their field and are working to become recognized professional artists. Award recipient receives $500 and personalized handmade glass sculpture.  

Established Artist Award

The Established Artist Award is presented to a professional St. Catharines artist in any discipline who has received recognition for excellence in their art practice in St. Catharines and beyond (regionally, provincially, nationally). Award recipient receives $500 and personalized handmade glass sculpture.

Making a Difference Award

The Making A Difference Award recognizes a St. Catharines arts entrepreneur, arts administrator, arts organization, arts animator or volunteer in the arts whose leadership and innovation have significantly contributed to the growth and development of arts and culture in St. Catharines. Award recipient receives $500 and personalized handmade glass sculpture. 

Patron of the Arts Award

The Patron of the Arts Award recognizes an individual or business that has made a meaningful contribution to the arts in St. Catharines through innovative, transformative, and entrepreneurial partnerships or philanthropic investments. Award recipient receives a $500 contribution to be directed to a St. Catharines artist or arts organization of the recipient’s choice and personalized handmade glass sculpture.

Nominators (all award categories)

• Must be 18 years of age or older.
• Can be an individual, organization or business residing in any city.
• Cannot be an immediate family member of the nominee.
• Artists cannot self-nominate.
• Cannot be a member of the Jury or City of St. Catharines staff.

• Nominee must have demonstrated an outstanding commitment to engaging St. Catharines residents through arts education activities.
• Artistic collectives (e.g., band, duo, troupe, collective, etc.) are eligible for nomination provided that a minimum of 75% of the collective has worked in St. Catharines consecutively for the past two years or longer.
• Nominee may be self-taught or have art training through formal education, apprenticeship, or with a mentor or elder.
• Open to all artistic disciplines including, but not limited to, dance, performing arts, fine craft, visual arts, media arts, film, music, theatre and writing.

• Nominee must be in the early years of launching a professional career.
• Emerging artists have created and publicly presented a modest body of independent work and are ready for the next steps in their artistic development.
• Artistic collectives (e.g., band, duo, troupe, collective, etc.) are eligible for nomination provided that a minimum of 75% of the collective has worked in St. Catharines consecutively for the past two years or longer.
• Nominee may be self-taught or have art training through formal education, apprenticeship, or with a mentor or elder.
• Open to all artistic disciplines including, but not limited to, dance, performing arts, fine craft, visual arts, media arts, film, music, theatre and writing.

Established Artist Award

• Nominee is recognized as a professional by their peers (artists working in the same artistic tradition), which could include critical recognition or excellence.
• Nominee has a history of public presentation or publication.
• Nominee must be actively producing work (within the last three years).
• Individual artist or arts professional who is 18 years of age or older.
• Artistic collectives (e.g., band, duo, troupe, collective, etc.) are eligible for nomination provided that a minimum of 75% of the collective has worked in St. Catharines consecutively for the past two years or longer.
• Nominee may be self-taught or have art training through formal education, apprenticeship, or with a mentor or elder.
• Open to all artistic disciplines including, but not limited to, dance, performing arts, fine craft, visual arts, media arts, music, theatre and writing.

Making A Difference Award

• Nominee has made a significant contribution to the growth and development of arts and culture in St. Catharines, e.g., their leadership has led to a new or significant event, organization or initiative.
• Organizations are eligible for nomination.
• Artistic collectives (e.g., band, duo, troupe, collective, etc.) are eligible for nomination provided that a minimum of 75% of the collective has worked in St. Catharines consecutively for the past two years or longer.

• Nominee has shown consistent and substantial support to the arts in St. Catharines, including, but not limited to visual arts, performing arts, literature, music, film, or any other creative discipline.

• Support can include financial contributions, sponsorship of artistic events or exhibitions, commissioning new works, providing resources or infrastructure for artists.

• Support can also include significant partnerships established between the recipient and the arts community. This could involve working closely with artists, arts organizations or cultural institutions to develop and execute joint projects, initiatives, or programs.

• Individuals, organizations, and businesses are eligible for nomination.

Members of the public are invited to submit an Arts Awards nomination in any award category. Submit a brief statement outlining why you feel the individual, collective, or organization should be nominated.

Nominee Submission Review

Nominees will have the opportunity to review the information included in their nomination so they can expand upon their contributions and experiences. Nominator details will be shared with nominees and may be shared through the Award Selection process and recognition efforts.

A Jury will adjudicate the submissions to select the Arts Awards recipients. The Jury will be comprised of arts community leaders who reflect the diversity of St. Catharines’ arts sector. The Jury will evaluate the nominations based on the artistic excellence, career, and impact of the individual, collective or organization. A member of the Arts and Culture Advisory Committee will audit the Jury session to ensure that a fair and transparent selection process is followed.

• Arts in Education Award: Dr. Rachel Rensink-Hoff
• Emerging Artist Award: Kathryn Sinopoli
• Established Artist Award: Amy Friend
• Making a Difference Award: Emily Oriold
• Patron of the Arts Award: Frank Goldspink
• Jury's Pick Award: Monica Dufault

• Arts in Education Award: Curtis Tye
• Emerging Artist Award: Elise Naccarato
• Established Artist Award: Peter Shea
• Making a Difference Award: OPIRG Brock
• Patron of the Arts Award: Janet Patridge
• Jury's Pick Award: Jean Bridge