City of St. Catharines Arts Awards

GENERAL ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA

• All nominees must be St. Catharines residents or have been active in the arts in St. Catharines consistently over an extended period of time
• All nominations are screened to ensure eligibility
• Nominations may be submitted by an individual or organization
• Only nominations received between November 1, 2019 and December 13, 2019 will be considered for the 2020 Awards
• Nominators may make one nomination per year in each of the 5 award categories
• Nominators may not nominate themselves for an award
• Nominees must consent to the use of photos and biographical material to be used for promotions
• The Arts Awards are not grants. The receipt of an Arts Award is not a requirement for the rewarding of any municipal grants
• The City of St. Catharines reserves the right to accept or reject nominations and reserves the right to accept or reject any or all nominations in a particular category

• The City reserves the right to cancel any and/or all awards at any time

• Please see detailed eligibility for each category 

 GETTING READY TO NOMINATE

We encourage you to contact your prospective nominee in advance to gather support documents including:

Mandatory Items:

• A resume, biography or history of the person or group you wish to nominate 
• Information about the nominee’s work in St. Catharines

Please note that, while these additional support materials listed are not mandatory, it will strengthen your nomination.

• Optional: Letters of support from other people enthusiastic about this nominee
• Optional: samples of art practice (photos, video, audio, weblinks)
• Optional: media reviews or coverage (print or digital)

NOMINATION CATEGORIES

The Arts in Education Award celebrates an individual, collective or organization that has demonstrated an outstanding commitment to engaging St. Catharines residents through arts education activities.

The Emerging Artist Award is presented to emerging St. Catharines artists working in any discipline to celebrate current accomplishments and future potential. Emerging Artists are establishing careers in their field and are working to become recognized professional artists. The Jury will consider nominees who are 18 years or older, who are based and active in St. Catharines and who have been practicing their art form for less than 10 years.

The Established Artist Award is presented to a professional St. Catharines artist in any discipline who has received critical recognition for excellence in their art practice in St. Catharines and beyond. The jury will consider nominees who have been actively practicing their art form for at least 10 years and whose work has made an impact on the St. Catharines’ community.

The Making a Difference Award celebrates 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.

The Patron of the Arts Award celebrates 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.

Click here to download the list of past nominees and recipients.

HOW TO NOMINATE

For all Nominations...

Please first consult the General Eligibility and Rules Package (click here)

Then please visit the online nomination form (preferred nomination method):

ARTS AWARDS ONLINE NOMINATION FORM (CLICK HERE)

First Time Nominating?

Click here to download the handy "HOW TO NOMINATE" Guide with tips & tricks to get you started.

For Nominations by "Snail Mail"

Alternatively you can download the following fillable PDF forms and return by snail mail or in person to staff if hard copy support documents (CD, DVD, USB stick) are needed (see forms for details).

Arts in Education Award (click here for fillable PDF)

Emerging Artist Award (click here for fillable PDF)

Established Artist Award (click here for fillable PDF)

Making a Difference Award (click here for fillable PDF)

Patron of the Arts Award (click here for fillable PDF)

Staff Contact

For difficulty with nomination completion or to schedule an appointment to drop off your nomation package directly to staff, please contact staff during office hours (M-F 9-4:30) 
by email: culture@stcatharines.ca or call 905 688 5601 x 5232

NOMINATION INFO DROP-IN OFFICE HOURS

Stop in for open office hours to meet the Cultural Services staff that can assist you with your nomination. Learn about the eligibility criteria, the best support documents to include and the online application form.

When: Tuesday, November 26, 2 to 4 pm and 5 to 8 pm

Where: St. Catharines Museum & Welland Canals Centre, 1932 Welland Canals Parkway. Please check in with front desk staff, ask for Michelle Nicholls.

No appointment needed!

You are encouraged to consider the best category for your nomination in advance of your visit. If you have already started an application, you will have the opportunity to ask staff questions specific to your nomination. 

 Arts in Education Award

TBA

 Emerging Artist Award

TBA 

Established Artist Award

Making a Difference Award

TBA

Patron of the Arts Award

TBA

Jury's Pick Award

TBA

2019 Sponsors

We would like to thank the following event sponsors for their support:

Meridian Credit Union | Event Sponsor

The Foster Festival | Production Sponsor

Flashbox Photography | Photography Sponsor

Niagara This Week | Print Media Sponsor

YourTV / Cogeco | Broadcast Media Sponsor

And the Award Designer – Clayton Haigh of Balance Glassworks.

We would also like to thank the Mayor's Art Fund Reception sponsors for their support:

Mehan Group | Performance Sponsor

Partridge Wealth Management | Reception Sponsor

Performance Auto Group, CAA Niagara, Niagara Casino's | Community Sponsors

The Yellow Pear | Catering Sponsor

Chocolates Etc. | Chocolate Sponsor

And the Award Sponsors:

The St. Catharines Downtown Association, Marilyn l. Walker School of Fine and Performing Arts, Meridian Credit Union, The Pen Centre, and Henry of Pelham Family Estate Winery. 

2019 Recipients

The 2019 recipients of the City of St. Catharines Arts Awards were recognized on Friday, May 3, 2019, at the FirstOntario Performing Arts Centre. 

• Amanda Nelli, Arts in Education Award, sponsored by the St. Catharines Downtown Association
• Ola Kiermacz and Mel Monaco, Emerging Artist Award, sponsored by the Marilyn I. Walker School of Fine and Performing Arts, Brock University
• Clelia Scala, Established Artist Award, sponsored by Meridian Credit Union
• Ayo Adewumi, Jury’s Pick Award, sponsored by an Anonymous Donor
• Mark Elliott, Making a Difference Award, sponsored by the Pen Centre
• Joe and Anita Robertson, Patron of the Arts Award, sponsored by Henry of Pelham Family Estate Winery

The Jury

2020 Event Tickets 

Tickets for the 2020 event will be available in Spring 2020.

For More Information

Contact:

Michelle Nicholls
Culture Coordinator
Email: culture@stcatharines.ca
Telephone: 905.688.5601 ext 5232.