Celebrate Hamilton’s Arts Community at the 2019 City of Hamilton Arts Awards

Hamilton, ON – The public is invited to celebrate Hamilton’s dynamic arts community by joining dignitaries, past award winners and 110 nominated artists for the announcement of this year’s City of Hamilton Arts Awards winners on Thursday June 13 at Theatre Aquarius Dofasco Centre for the Arts, 190 King William St.

Doors open at 5:30 pm with a catered reception including a cash bar and light refreshments from local food purveyors. Art installations, music and performances by a diverse group of Hamilton artists will animate both indoor and outdoor spaces.

“This event is our opportunity to recognize and celebrate artists and arts leaders for the ways in which they enrich the lives of Hamiltonians every day. We look forward to welcoming the community at this event.”

Carrie Brooks-Joiner, Acting Director, Tourism and Culture Division

Commencing at 7 pm, the awards ceremony will honour local artists and their achievements, and will feature Indigenous media art, contemporary theatre, a Hamilton-centric drag show and a live hip hop music performance. Nineteen awards will be presented in 11 disciplines including Lifetime Achievement, Arts Innovation and The Shirley Elford Emerging Artist Prize in Music.

The emcee for the ceremony will be award-winning comedian and Stoney Creek native Ashley Moffatt. Other artists and performers featured at the event include: Victoria Wojciechowska; Alex Zafer Photography; Rhythm Inspiring Transcultural Edutainment (R. I. T. E); Okada, Ruxton, Maxwell; Thru the Red Door; Red Betty Theatre; Hashtag Adam and Steve; and LT the Monk.

Quick Facts

• The Arts Awards event launches an exciting week of programming by the Hamilton Arts Council for Hamilton Arts Week June 14 to 21.
• Limited tickets are available at https://2019hamiltonartsawards.eventbrite.com. Book early to avoid disappointment. Tickets are free but must be booked in advance.
• First presented in 1976, the Hamilton Arts Awards program is one of the oldest in Canada. It continues to recognize the vital contributions of the city’s arts sector and to celebrate the exceptional achievements of individual artists and organizations.
• The Hamilton Arts Awards program is managed by the Tourism and Culture Division of the City of Hamilton.
• Cobalt Connects, the 2019 Arts Awards community partner, oversees the adjudication process and awards event production.
• Independent juries comprised of discipline-specific artists and arts professionals evaluate all nominations.

Sponsors

• Emerging Artist Awards: BLR LLP Chartered Professional Accountants; Core Urban Inc.; Incite Foundation for the Arts; Elizabeth Parker, Sales representative, Judy Marsales Real Estate Ltd Brokerage; Marz Homes; Mohawk College; dpai Architecture Inc.; Upper James Toyota
• Venue Sponsor: Theatre Aquarius; Photography Sponsor: Banko Media; Print Sponsor: Reprodux; Media Sponsor: The Hamilton Spectator; Reception Sponsors: IPC Securities, Next Steps Planning; View Magazine

Additional Resources

• For more information, a list and biographies of nominated artists, and featured artists and performers visit www.hamilton.ca/artsawards.
• For high resolution photos of this year’s artists and performers email [email protected]  or 905-546-2424 ext. 7612.
• Hamilton Arts Week - June 14 to 21: www.hamiltonartscouncil.ca/artsweek