The Town of Orangeville celebrates local arts and culture with call for nominations

The 2021 Arts and Culture Awards celebrate the creative talent and cultural richness of the local community. The awards, which are in their 12th year, recognize outstanding contributions made by businesses, organizations, and individuals in Dufferin County.

Nominations for eight award categories are now open and, as with the interpretation of art, the award categories themselves are broad and inclusive. Artists can be recognized for work in visual art, music, dance, film, theatre, or written mediums as well as culinary arts, graphic design, and online events.  

The restrictions of the past year have had a significant impact on the creative sector. Despite these challenges, the arts community in Dufferin County has been resilient. The 2021 Arts and Culture Awards offer an opportunity for nominators to consider the innovative ways that arts and culture initiatives have been presented, taught, and enjoyed. “It has been more important than ever to find the silver lining through the tough times,” said Councillor Lisa Post, Chair of the Cultural Plan Task Force. “The creative sector has faced many setbacks from COVID-19 and I have been so proud to see unbelievable innovation emerge. In a time that the arts and culture sector could have been easily brushed aside the opposite has occurred, and that needs to be celebrated.”

For individual artists, an award nomination celebrates their work and helps build awareness of their contributions to the local art sector. Whether the individual is established, emerging or a student artist, a nomination helps to expand the reach of their work and enhance their credentials. The awards also recognize educators, volunteers, businesses, organizations, and events that have creatively inspired, entertained or impacted the community. For all nominees, the recognition strengthens their connection with the community, reinforces the importance of their work, and offers new ways to promote their efforts.

Submitting an award nomination is a simple process that can have a meaningful impact for those who are recognized. “I am honoured to be the recipient of an Arts and Culture Award for my solo exhibition ‘Beautiful Wild’ at Maggiolly Art,” said artist Ricky Schaede, winner of the 2020 award for Creative Cultural Event. “I put so much work, heart, and soul into Beautiful Wild, and it’s amazing to be recognized like this. Thank you to the jurors, to my nominator, and to everyone in Orangeville who supports my artistic career and makes this such an excellent place to work and live.”

This year’s award categories include Established Artist of the Year, Emerging Artist of the Year, Student Artist of the Year, Community Arts Volunteer, Arts Educator of the Year, Community Impact by a Business, Community Impact by an Organization, and Creative Cultural Event.

A description of the nominee’s contributions is the only requirement, and the nominator details will remain anonymous. The deadline for submissions is Thursday, August 12 at 4 p.m. Previous winners cannot be nominated for the same category. Self-nominations are accepted. All nominees will have an opportunity to provide judges with additional information once the Town has received the nominations. Judging will be completed by an experienced independent panel from outside Dufferin County.  

Award nominees will be announced on Thursday, September 9 and a virtual celebration will be held on Thursday, October 7. This year’s online presentation will maintain the tradition of having past award recipients introduce the nominees and announce each winner.

The timing of the 2021 awards coincides with Culture Days, an annual celebration that was created in response to the growing recognition that a vibrant arts and cultural sector contributes directly to a healthy and stable society. This year, Culture Days runs from September 24 to October 24. 

The community is invited to recognize an individual, business, or organization and celebrate arts and culture by completing a nomination today. For more information regarding nominations for the 2021 Arts and Culture Awards, visit the Town’s website at www.orangeville.ca/ACAwards/.