tacf awards

The Foundation receives and maintains funds to provide an awards program and to enhance grants programs adjudicated by Toronto Arts Council in support of individual artists and arts organizations working in the City of Toronto.

The Toronto Arts Council Foundation Awards celebrate artists, cultural professionals and arts supporters from every creative discipline. This awards program is designed to highlight the significant contributions made by our city’s cultural leadership. Five awards will be presented to prominent creators, performers, volunteers and cultural leaders whose work and dedication have made a significant impact on the artistic and cultural life of Toronto.

Click above for information on the 2007 TACF awards

tacf awards program:

Arts for Youth Award

a $15,000 cash prize established by Martha Burns, Jim Fleck and Jim Pitblado in 2007, this award celebrates an individual, collective or organization that has demonstrated an outstanding commitment to engaging Toronto youth in the arts.

New for 2007

RBC Emerging Artist Award

A $5,000 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 the RBC Foundation, this award is intended to support development or completion of new work.

RBC award recipients:

2006: Natasha Mytnowych is a remarkable young theatre director and artistic leader who has already made a commendable mark on the theatre community as a passionate advocate for the arts.

The Globe and Mail Toronto Business for the Arts Award

Recognizes a local business that has made a significant contribution to the arts in Toronto. Established in 2006, this award is presented by The Council for Business and the Arts in Canada. The recipient will receive an original work of art created by Nobuo Kubota.

Globe and Mail award recipients:

2006: CIBC Mellon is a privately owned, joint venture between CIBC and Mellon that provides trust services to approximately 650 issuers and global securities services to approximately 1,200 institutional clients. Its deep commitment to arts and culture is evidenced by its support of Tafelmusik, Roy Thomson Hall and Soulpepper Theatre Company.

Muriel Sherrin Award for International Achievement in Music and 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 artist exchanges.

Muriel Sherrin Award recipients

2006: Peter Chin, Artistic Director of Tribal Crackling Wind
2004: Marshall Pynkoski, founder and co-artistic director of Opera Atelier.
2002: Danny Grossman, dancer, choreographer
2000: Joe Sealy, Internationally renowned pianist, composer and music director
1998: David Earle, dance artist, choreographer, co-founder of Toronto Dance Theatre and creator of Dancetheatre David Earle.
1996: Jeanne Lamon, Music Director of Taflemusik Baroque Orchestra.

William Kilbourn Award for the Celebration of Toronto’s Cultural Life

Established in memory of the late William Kilbourn. A $5,000 cash prize presented to an individual performer, teacher, administrator or creator in any arts discipline, including architecture and design, whose work is a celebration of life through the arts in Toronto.

William Kilbourn Award recipients

2006: Albert Schultz, actor, director, educator, producer and head of Soulpepper Theatre
2004: Djanet Sears, award-winning playwright and director, producing such lauded works as Harlem Duet and The Adventures of A Black Girl In Search Of God, among others. She is also a Dora-nominated stage performer and a Gemini-nominated screen actor
2002: Joy Hughes, an arts activist who has dedicated more than 22 years of her life to the development of the arts and arts awareness in the former City of Scarborough.
2000: Rina Singha, internationally renowned professional dancer, choreographer, educator.
1998: Doris McCarthy, artist, painter and interpreter of Canadian landscape, designer of the Scarborough flag, advocate for the arts.

Roy Thomson Hall Award of Recognition

A $10,000 cash prize presented to an individual, ensemble or organization to recognize creative, performing, administrative, volunteer or philanthropic contributions to Toronto’s musical life.

Recipients of the Roy Thomson Hall Award of Recognition

The Rita Davies Award

A cash prize recognizing individuals who have demonstrated creative cultural leadership in the development of arts and culture in Toronto. Administrators, volunteers, artists and creators are eligible for consideration. Through the generosity of co-sponsor Margo Bindhardt, an additional $5,000 was added in 2007 to the original $5000 prize.

Past Recipients of the Rita Davies Award (inaugural year 2000)

The Margo Bindhardt Award

A cash prize of $10,000, made in partnership with Margo Bindhardt and presented biennially to Toronto artists whose leadership and vision, whether through their creative work or cultural activism, have had a significant impact on the arts in Toronto.

Beginning in 2007, Margo Bindhardt is co-sponsoring the Rita Davies Award. The Margo Bindhardt Award will no longer be presented.

Margo Bindhardt Award recipients