Welcome to the Mayor’s Arts Awards Lunch
A celebration of the Toronto Arts Foundation Awards
At the Toronto Arts Foundation, we believe that a great city demands great art, and that by supporting, celebrating and advocating for Toronto’s artists, we can improve the quality of life for all Torontoians.
Help us celebrate Toronto’s artists, cultural professionals and art supporters by submitting your nomination for the 2009 Toronto Arts Foundation Awards.
Arts for Youth Award – a $15,000 cash prize established in 2007 by Martha Burns, Jim Fleck and Jim Pitblado, this award celebrates an individual, collective or organization that has demonstrated an outstanding commitment to engaging Toronto youth in the arts. Previous winners include SKETCH Working Arts for Street-Involved and Homeless Youth (2008) and Arts for Children (2007).
The Globe and Mail Toronto Business for the Arts Award – recognizes a Toronto-based business that has made a significant contribution to the arts in Toronto. Established in 2006, this award is presented in partnership with Business for the Arts. The recipient will receive an original work of art created by Nobuo Kubota. Previous winners include Torys LLP (2008), Robert Lowrey’s Piano Experts (2007) and CIBC Mellon (2006).
RBC Emerging Artist Award – a $7,500 cash prize presented to an emerging Toronto artist working in any medium or performing arts discipline in celebration of current accomplishments and future potential. Established in 2006 by RBC Foundation, this award is intended to support the development or completion of new work. This year, in addition to increasing the value of the award from $5,000 to $7,500, RBC Foundation will also award $1,000 to each of the runners-up. Previous winners include Weyni Mengesha (2008), d’bi.young.anitafrika (2007) and Natasha Mytnowych (2006).
Muriel Sherrin Award for International Achievement in Dance – a $10,000 cash prize presented to an artist or creator who has made a contribution to the cultural life of Toronto through outstanding achievement in dance. The recipient will also have participated in international initiatives, including touring, studying abroad and participating in artist exchanges. Previous winners include Peter Chin (2006), Danny Grossman (2002) and David Earle (1998).
Rita Davies and Margo Bindhardt Cultural Leadership Award – a $10,000 cash prize sponsored by the family of Margo Bindhardt and Toronto Arts Foundation. This award is presented biennially 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. Previous winners include Franco Boni (2007), Layne Coleman (2002) and Tom Hendry (2000).