Open call for nominations - Toronto Arts Foundation celebrates artistic excellence

Open call for nominations: Toronto's philanthropic community shines a spotlight on artistic excellence.

TORONTO – Toronto's philanthropic community is shining a spotlight on our bold, brillant, creative city through the presentation of the Toronto Arts Foundation Awards. Nominations for 2017 Toronto Arts Foundation Awards open today: December 15, 2016. Any person may submit a nomination including arts champions, fellow artists, arts managers and leaders, board directors.

The deadline for nominations is February 6, 2017. Toronto Arts Foundation Awards are presented to artists, cultural leaders and businesses in recognition of artistic excellence, cultural leadership and contribution to the arts. 

Toronto Arts Foundation makes decisions about its award finalists and winners through the peer assessment process. All eligible nominations are evaluated by a jury of professional artists and arts administrators.

Nominations will be considered for the following awards:

Arts for Youth Award – The Arts for Youth Award is a $15,000 cash prize established in 2007 by Martha Burns, Jim Fleck and Sandra and Jim Pitblado. The award celebrates an individual, collective or organization that has demonstrated an outstanding commitment to engaging Toronto’s youth through the arts and artistic creation. The winner of the Award will receive a $15,000 cash prize, with each finalist receiving $2,000. 
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The Toronto Arts and Business Award – The 2017 Toronto Arts and Business Award will celebrate a local business that has made and important contribution to the arts in Toronto through innovative and transformative partnerships. Established in 2006, this award is presented in partnership with Toronto Arts Foundation, Business for the Arts and The Toronto Star. 
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The Emerging Artist Award – The Toronto Arts Foundation Emerging Artist Award is a $10,000 cash prize, with finalists receiving $2,000. The award celebrates the accomplishments and future potential of an emerging Toronto artist working in any discipline. Established in 2006, the award is generously sponsored by Susan Crocker and John Hunkin to support the development or completion of new work. The award given to finalist honourees was established in 2014 through the generous donation of the Bulmash-Siegel Fund. 
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The Emerging Jazz Artist Award - The Emerging Jazz Artist Award furthers the career of an outstanding emerging jazz artist and is intended to support the pre-production, production and/or recording of original music composed by the recipient. The Emerging Jazz Artist Award is a cash award of $10,000. Finalists receive $1,000. The award was established in 2014, through the generous donation of Cheryl and Manuel Buchwald, and will be given out annually for at least 10 years.
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The Muriel Sherrin Award - The Muriel Sherrin Award is a $10,000 cash prize. The award is presented to an artist or creator who has made a contribution to the cultural life od Toronto through outstanding achievement. The recipient will have also participated in international initiatives, including touring, studying abroad and participating in artist exchanges. The award rotates from music to dance in alternating prize years. In 2017, the award will be made in the field of dance.
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The Margo Bindhart and Rita Davies Award - The Margo Bindhart and Rita Davies Award is a $10,000 cash prize. The award is presented to an individual who has demonstrated creative cultural leadership in the development of arts and culture in Toronto. Administrators, volunteers, artists and creators are eligible for consideration.
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Nomination Forms: http://www.torontoartsfoundation.org/awards
Deadline: February 6, 2017 


The Arts for Youth Award, The Toronto Arts and Business Award, The Emerging Artist Award, The Muriel Sherrin Award, and The Margo Bindhart and Rita Davies Award are part of Toronto Arts Foundation's Signature Awards portfolio, and will be presented at the Mayor's Arts Lunch in May 2017.

The Emerging Jazz Award, part of Toronto Arts Foundation's Vision Awards portfolio, will be presented in June 2017.

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About Toronto Arts Foundation
Toronto Arts Foundation is a charitable organization that sparks creative connects, spotlights artistic excellence, and supports vibrant cultural growth throughout our diverse city, through private sector investment,

For more information about the Toronto Arts Foundation, please contact:
Jennifer Green, Associate Director, Toronto Arts Foundation at Jennifer@torontoarts.org or at 416-392-6802 x207

For questions about eligibility for the Signature Awards, please contact: 
Rupal Shah, Strategic Programs Officer, Toronto Arts Council at Rupal@torontoartscouncil.org or at 416-392-6802 x209

For questions about eligibility for the Emerging Jazz Artist Award, please contact:
Christy DeFelice, Music Officer, Toronto Arts Council at Christy@torontoartscouncil.org or at 416-392-6802 x202