Nominations now open for the 2021 Hamilton Arts Awards

Hamilton, ON - The public is invited to nominate their favourite artist or arts community champion for the 2021 Hamilton Awards. Nominations will be accepted until 11:59 p.m. on Friday, January 22, 2021.

As one of the longest running municipal arts awards programs in Canada, the City of Hamilton Arts Awards recognizes the outstanding achievements of our community’s artists through cash awards and civic recognition. In challenging times, it’s important to recognize and celebrate our artists and the role they play to support and unite us. To ensure this important awards program can move forward, based on input from a public and arts sector consultation, a revised process to nominate and select award winners will be piloted for the 2021 Arts Awards program.

As part of this year’s pilot, the public can now nominate artists, arts managers or artistic collectives (including bands) working in any artistic discipline and at any career level under a single “Creator Award” category. For the first time, the work of arts sector volunteers, advocates, or board members who are essential in supporting success in the arts community will be recognized as “Arts Champions”. The “Lifetime Achievement Award” continues to recognize those who have contributed substantially to the artistic vitality of the city over the course of a career. Nominations will be reviewed by a panel of artists and arts sector experts, and award winners will be selected by a jury of leading arts professionals. This new process will make nominations easier for the public, allow for more flexibility in award categories and provide opportunities for the awards to be more inclusive and responsive in celebrating the evolving arts community each year. 

“Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic we have depended on artists, creatives, and arts community leaders to keep us hopeful, inspired and grounded during these unprecedented times. The 2021 Arts Awards are an opportunity to say thank you to the Hamilton artists and arts community supporters that enrich our lives everyday.”

- Carrie Brooks-Joiner, Director of Tourism and Culture

Recipients in all categories will be announced at a public event or online presentation in June 2021 as part of Hamilton Arts Week. In addition to profiling and honouring nominees, the Arts Awards event will feature performances by local artists and dynamic arts programming, continuing a tradition of celebration and respect for Hamilton’s creative culture.

Quick Facts:

• The 2021 Nomination deadline is Fri. Jan. 22, 2021 at 11:59 p.m.
• In the 2021 nomination process, nominators are no longer required to submit full artist packages – simply nominee contact information and a brief statement outlining why they feel they should be nominated.
• The recipients of the Creator and Lifetime Achievement Awards will receive a cash award of $2500, a commemorative medallion or certificate, and civic and media recognition. Arts Champions will be recognized with a special gift of recognition.
• The Arts Awards is a City of Hamilton program managed by the Tourism and Culture Division.
• Cobalt Connects, the Arts Awards Program Consultant for 2021, oversees the nomination and adjudication process as well as event production.
• The City of Hamilton has awarded $325,000 and 166 awards since 2011. The Arts Awards program was established in 1976.

Additional Resources:

• To submit a nomination for this year’s awards:
  • Visit: www.hamilton.ca/artsawards
  • Hard copy forms are available by mail upon request
• For more information about the Arts Awards program including eligibility criteria, submission requirements and how nominations are scored, please visit the Arts Awards website at www.hamilton.ca/artsawards.
• Questions? Email us at [email protected] or call 905-546-2424 ext. 7612
• Follow us on Twitter and Instagram: @hamartsawards #HAA2021; Facebook: CityofHamiltonArtsAwards.