2026 Awards
The Emerging Artist Award recognizes aspiring artists of any age and in any artistic discipline whose work demonstrates professional-level skill, creativity, and promise. This award celebrates individuals at the early stages of their artistic journey who demonstrate exceptional talent, vision, and dedication. The recipient will receive a $500 cash prize to support their continued artistic growth and development.
Criteria:
- Open to individual artists of any age working in any discipline
- Demonstrates professional-level skill, creativity, and artistic potential
- Shows originality, vision, and a distinctive artistic voice
- Exhibits dedication, commitment, and a willingness to grow in their practice
- Demonstrates impact or engagement with audiences, peers, or the community through their work
- Work should reflect promise for continued artistic development and contribution to the arts
City of Owen Sound–run programs or initiatives are not eligible for this award.
The Cultural Impact Award (Group) recognizes a group, ensemble, or collective whose collaborative efforts have made a significant and lasting impact on the cultural landscape. This award honors groups that inspire, engage, and enrich their community through creative, innovative, or transformative artistic work. Recipients demonstrate leadership, collaboration, and a shared commitment to excellence in advancing arts and culture.
Criteria:
- Demonstrates exceptional collaboration, teamwork, and coordination within the group
- Produces artistic work or cultural initiatives that engage, inspire, and resonate with audiences
- Shows innovation, creativity, and originality in approach or presentation
- Contributes meaningfully to the community or cultural field through impact, visibility, or advocacy
- Exhibits professionalism, dedication, and a commitment to artistic excellence
- Demonstrates measurable outcomes or influence, such as recognition, expanded participation, or long-term cultural benefits
City of Owen Sound–run programs or initiatives are not eligible for this award.
- Artistic Excellence (Individual):
The Artistic Excellence Individual Award recognizes an individual who has demonstrated outstanding talent, creativity, and achievement in the arts. This award celebrates those whose work enriches the cultural landscape, inspires audiences, and advances artistic practice in their community or field. Recipients exemplify dedication, innovation, and a commitment to excellence in their chosen discipline.
Criteria:
- Demonstrates exceptional artistic skill, creativity, and originality in their work
- Contributes meaningfully to the arts or cultural community through performance, creation, or leadership
- Inspires or engages audiences through high-quality artistic expression
- Shows innovation, vision, or a distinctive approach in their artistic practice
- Demonstrates dedication, professionalism, and a commitment to growth and excellence
- Has a measurable impact on the community or cultural field, such as recognition, influence, or mentorship
City of Owen Sound–run programs or initiatives are not eligible for this award.
Recognizes excellence in public and one-time events, including festivals, concerts, theatrical productions, art exhibits, and new or emerging events. This award celebrates events that demonstrate exceptional planning, creativity, execution, and meaningful impact, whether they are well-established or in their early years.
Criteria:
- Demonstrates strong planning, organization, and effective execution
- Showcases creativity, innovation, and a clear vision
- Delivers a high-quality, engaging, and memorable experience for attendees
- Achieves measurable success appropriate to its stage of development (e.g., attendance, feedback, outcomes)
- Exhibits seamless logistics, accessibility, and inclusive programming
- Contributes positively to the community or industry through cultural, social, or economic impact
- Reflects effective promotion, collaboration, and stakeholder involvement
- For new events (under two years), shows clear potential for growth, sustainability, and future development
City of Owen Sound events are excluded from eligibility for this award.
This award recognizes an individual, group, or organization that has made a significant and lasting impact on the cultural landscape. The recipient demonstrates vision, creativity, and leadership in promoting, developing, or transforming cultural experiences, programs, or initiatives. Their work inspires participation, fosters inclusion, and strengthens the cultural identity of the community or industry.
Criteria:
- Demonstrates innovation, leadership, and a clear vision in cultural initiatives
- Creates meaningful cultural experiences that engage and inspire audiences
- Fosters inclusion, accessibility, and diversity within cultural programs
- Positively impacts the community or cultural sector through collaboration, advocacy, or mentorship
- Shows measurable outcomes or influence, such as expanded participation, recognition, or long-term cultural benefits
- Serves as a role model and catalyst for others to contribute to cultural growth
City of Owen Sound events are excluded from eligibility for this award.
The Cultural Legacy Award recognizes an individual, group, or organization that has made a lasting contribution to preserving, celebrating, or promoting cultural traditions, stories, and practices. This award honors those whose efforts strengthen the community’s cultural identity, safeguard heritage for future generations, and inspire others to engage with and appreciate the richness of their culture.
Criteria:
- Demonstrates commitment to preserving, celebrating, or promoting cultural traditions, stories, or practices
- Creates meaningful experiences or programs that engage the community and foster cultural understanding
- Shows leadership, innovation, or advocacy in sustaining cultural heritage
- Positively impacts the community through education, mentorship, collaboration, or awareness-building
- Provides evidence of lasting influence or measurable outcomes, such as increased participation, recognition, or cultural preservation
- Inspires others to appreciate, celebrate, or contribute to cultural heritage
City of Owen Sound–run programs or initiatives are not eligible for this award.
The Shared Voices Award recognizes individuals, groups, or organizations that actively promote diversity, equity, and inclusion in the arts and cultural community. This award celebrates initiatives that amplify underrepresented voices, foster collaboration across cultures, and create accessible, inclusive, and meaningful artistic experiences. Recipients demonstrate a commitment to ensuring that all members of the community are represented, heard, and valued.
Criteria:
- Actively promotes diversity, equity, and inclusion in artistic or cultural programming
- Amplifies underrepresented voices and perspectives
- Creates accessible, welcoming, and inclusive experiences for diverse audiences
- Demonstrates collaboration across communities, cultures, or disciplines
- Shows measurable impact on the community through engagement, participation, or awareness-building
- Reflects leadership, innovation, and commitment to fostering a more inclusive cultural landscape
City of Owen Sound–run programs or initiatives are not eligible for this award.
The Frontier Award celebrates visionary creators who push the boundaries of digital media. This award recognizes work that demonstrates groundbreaking creativity, originality, and technical excellence in leveraging digital platforms, technologies, or formats. Submissions should captivate audiences through innovative storytelling, user-friendly design, and engaging experiences, while reflecting inclusivity, accessibility, and contemporary relevance. The Frontier Award honors content that not only inspires and entertains but also makes a measurable cultural or social impact in today’s rapidly evolving digital landscape.
Criteria:
Innovation & Creativity: Original ideas and inventive use of digital platforms.
- Technical Excellence: High-quality design, production, and user experience.
- Audience Engagement & Impact: Strong reach, measurable engagement, or cultural influence.
- Inclusivity & Accessibility: Accessible, inclusive, and ethically mindful content.
- Sustainability & Adaptability: Forward-thinking, adaptable, and responsible use of technology.
Eligibility:
Open to creators, teams, and organizations producing digital content across platforms such as websites, apps, social media, podcasts, VR/AR, interactive installations, or multimedia campaigns.Top of Form
City of Owen Sound–run programs or initiatives are not eligible for this award.
