Nominations Now Open for City of Hamilton 2020 Arts Awards

HAMILTON, ON -The City of Hamilton invites the public to recognize the vital contributions that artists and arts community leaders make to Hamilton by submitting a nomination to the 2020 Arts Awards program. Nominations are now being accepted until Fri. Feb. 14, 2020 at 4:00 p.m. 

The City of Hamilton Arts Awards, one of the oldest municipal arts awards programs in Canada, recognizes the outstanding achievements of our city’s established and emerging artists in eleven categories and presents $36,500 in cash awards. 

“The Arts are the beating heart of Hamilton, and we invite citizens to assist us in recognizing the full breadth of contributions by our local artists and arts leaders by nominating them for a 2020 Arts Award.”
Carrie Brooks-Joiner, Director of Tourism and Culture

Emerging artists (practicing professionally for five years or less) can be nominated for a Shirley Elford Emerging Artist Prize, presented by the Shirley M. Elford Artist's Fund -  Hamilton Community Foundation. In 2020 the Shirley Elford Emerging Artist Prizes will be awarded in both Arts Education and Community Arts, and Writing; prize categories change annually.

Award recipients will be announced at a public event on Jun. 11, 2020 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 growing tradition of celebration and respect for Hamilton’s creative culture.

Quick Facts

• Nominations can be made in 12 categories recognizing artists and arts community leaders.
• The recipients of the 2020 City of Hamilton Arts Awards will receive a cash award ranging from $1000 to $2500, a commemorative medallion or certificate, and civic and media recognition. 
• The 2020 Nomination deadline is Fri. Feb. 14, 2020 at 4:00 p.m.
• The Arts Awards is a City of Hamilton program managed by the Tourism and Culture Division.
• Cobalt Connects, the Arts Awards Program Consultant for 2020, oversees the nomination and adjudication process as well as event production.
• The City of Hamilton has awarded $292,000 and 148 awards since 2011.

Additional Resources

• 2020 Nomination Forms:
  • Online at  www.hamilton.ca/artsawards
  • Hard copy forms are available at the Tourism Hamilton Visitor Centre, Lister Building, 28 James St. N., Ground Floor.  Monday – Friday, 9. am to 4 pm
• For more information about the Arts Awards program including eligibility criteria, submission requirements and how nominations are scored, please email [email protected], call 905-546-2424 ext. 7612 or visit the Arts Awards website at www.hamilton.ca/artsawards.
• Follow us on Twitter: @hamartsawards #HAA2020; Facebook: CityofHamiltonArtsAwards.