Arts Awards

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 per cent 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 per cent 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 per cent 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 per cent 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: Alice Burke 
• Emerging Artist Award: Vik Mudge
• Established Artist Award: Sandy Middleton
• Making a Difference Award: Todd Green
• Jury's Pick Award: Matter of Black

• 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