The Richmond Hill Arts Awards profile cultural success stories by recognizing artistic talent and community contribution to the arts sector in Richmond Hill. Artists in any discipline including performing (theatre, dance, music), visual, literary, and media arts, textile, craft, and community arts may be nominated.
The Arts Awards are presented at the Richmond Hill Cultural Summit.
Stay tuned to this webpage for upcoming information on our next application intake.
Awards
This award recognizes artistic excellence and accomplishment of a mid-career or established artist. A mid-career or established artist is someone who has developed skills through training and/or practice, and that has developed an extensive body or work. They should be able to demonstrate a history of regional, national or international public presentation of their work and be actively practicing their art. Breaks in artistic work history are permitted. The winner will receive a cash prize of $1,000.
This award recognizes the achievements and talent of an emerging artist. An emerging artist is someone who is at the beginning of their career and who demonstrates commitment to the achievement of a professional level in their discipline. An emerging artist is someone who is developing their skills through education, apprenticeship, training or mentorship. The nominee should be producing a growing repertoire or body of work. Some history of public presentation or publication is preferred. The winner will receive a cash prize of $1,000.
This award recognizes the talent of youth in Richmond Hill ages 13-19 at the time of application who have demonstrated outstanding promise and commitment to the arts. The winner will receive a cash prize of $500.
This award recognizes an individual or collective whose leadership, creative originality and innovation has significantly contributed to the growth of the Richmond Hill arts community over the past year. This can be through the development and support of an arts organization or local program. The winner will receive $500 to direct to a Richmond Hill-based not-for-profit arts organization of their choice to foster continued artistic development in Richmond Hill.
Award Criteria
- Nominees must be a Richmond Hill resident.
- Nominees may only be nominated for one award per year.
- Nominees who have previously won a Richmond Hill Arts Award are not eligible to be nominated again in their same category.
- Full-time Richmond Hill staff cannot be nominated.
- Artists in any discipline including performing (theatre, dance, music), visual, literary, and media arts, textile, craft, and community arts may be nominated.
- Nominees must be a Richmond Hill resident.
- Nominees must be an individual artist - collectives, bands, groups are not eligible.
- Youth Artist nominees must be between the ages of 13-19.
- Nominees can be an individual or collective
- Nominees must be an individual living in Richmond Hill.
- Not-for-profit organizations are not eligible for this award.
- 18 years of age or older
- Nominees cannot self-nominate
- Cannot be City of Richmond Hill staff, elected officials of the City of Richmond Hill
Nominators must submit:
- Nomination Form
- Biography (min 750 - max 1,000 words) including:
- A brief outline of accomplishments of the nominee
- Information on the nominee's leadership skills, character, and contributions to culture in the community.
- A list awards or recognition relevant to the nomination
- A list of published works and/or public presentations, including exhibitions or performances
- One letter of support written by an individual involved with the artist's career.
- High resolution digital headshot of the nominee
- A sample of the nominees work (please do not send originals)
- Please attach copies of articles, photographs, awards, testimonials, website links, artist's social media pages, etc., concerning the nominee that will support the artist’s accomplishments or their contribution to the Richmond Hill arts community.
Submit your completed nomination package now via the Arts Awards Online Submission Form.
Past Arts Award Winners
Mid-Career/Professional Arts Award: Karen Pasieka, Visual Artist
Youth Arts Award: Sophia Nazari, Visual Artist
Youth Arts Award: Lillian Zhang, Visual & Literary Artist
Culture Builder Award: Lesley Block, Arts Facilitator
Mid-Career/Professional Arts Award: Joan Burrows, Literary Artist
Emerging Arts Award: Dr. Jessica Tse, Musical Arts
Youth Arts Award: Jackie Han, Media Artist
Culture Builder Award: Ben Lee, Entrepreneur
Mid Career/Established Artist Award: Ona Kingdon, Visual Artist
Emerging Artist Award: Talia Eylon, Film and Digital Media Artist
Youth Artist Award: Freya Abbas, Literary Artist
Mid Career/Established Artist Award: Andrea End, Visual Artist
Emerging Artist Award: Shona Foster, Filmmaker
Youth Artist Award: Julia Zoloto, Media Artist
