Award Categories
Edmund C. Bovey Award
Named after our first chairman, The Edmund C. Bovey Award recognizes a business professional and/or philanthropist who has demonstrated a lifetime of significant philanthropy and/or volunteer leadership in arts and culture in Canada.
The recipient receives $20,000 to direct towards an arts organization(s) of their choice.
Nominations for the Edmund C. Bovey Award have closed. Please check back in Winter 2023.
Eligible candidates must:
- be an individual or a couple that has made a significant contribution to the arts as a volunteer
- be a Canadian citizen
NOTE: Recipients are eligible to win the award only once
Nominations can be made by:
- any not-for-profit arts organizations in Canada
- any company in Canada
- self-nomination
Endorsements (maximum 3 letters) may be made by:
- executive staff and board members of other arts organizations
- individual artists
- executives of companies
Nominators must complete an official nomination with the following:
1) A letter (750 words maximum) that explicitly outlines how the nominee has demonstrated a lifetime of significant philanthropy and/or volunteer leadership in arts and culture in Canada.
The letter should address the following three questions, with specific examples to support statements made:
- How has the nominee demonstrated a lifetime of leadership in the arts? (i.e. inspiring change, recruiting volunteers, assuming key responsibilities, serving on boards).
- How have the nominee’s philanthropic contributions supported the Canadian arts and culture sector?
- How has the nominee strengthened the Canadian arts and culture sector?
2) A one-page bio or CV (can be submitted in English and/or French)
3) Headshot and up to five (5) photos that showcase their impact
4) Up to three (3) Letters of endorsement from third parties
Other criteria for assessment include:
- time committed to voluntary work for the arts
- expertise actively put to good use for the arts
- money committed to the cause through personal donations and fundraising
Nominations for the Edmund C. Bovey Award have closed. Please check back in Winter 2023.
Arnold Edinborough Award
Named after the founding president of Business / Arts, the Arnold Edinborough award recognizes a young changemaker who has made an outstanding contribution to the arts sector.
The recipient receives $5,000 to be directed to an arts organization(s) of their choice.
Nominations for the Arnold Edinborough Award have closed. Please check back in Winter 2023.
Eligible candidates must:
- be a young leader from any sector (business, technology, arts or other)
- have made a significant impact as a volunteer or paid leader to the not-for-profit arts in Canada
- be a Canadian citizen
NOTE: Recipients are eligible to win the award only once.
Nominations can be made by:
- registered not-for-profit arts, cultural or heritage organization in Canada
- the nominee’s employer or business associate
- self-nomination
Endorsements (maximum 3 letters) may be made by:
- executive staff and board members of other arts organizations
- individual artists
- executives of other companies
The selection committee will look for concrete evidence of the nominee’s achievements in the areas of vision and innovation, leadership, impact and influence.
Nominators must complete an official nomination with the following:
1) A nomination letter (750 words max) that explicitly outlines the nominee’s outstanding contribution(s) to the Canadian arts and culture sector.
The letter should provide specific examples to support how the nominee has:
- Made a positive impact on; a wide diversity of arts organizations in a community; one particular organization; or one arts discipline. Similarly, the nominee may be known nationally or only in the community in which the individual lives, relative to the size of the community in which their contributions to the arts have taken place.
- Facilitated change with clear and measurable results
- Cultivated long-term and successful relationships and partnerships to affect change
- Demonstrated leadership in a paid or volunteer role
2) A one-page bio or CV (can be submitted in English or French)
3) A headshot and up to five (5) photos that showcase their impact
4) Up to three (3) Letters of endorsement from third parties
Nominations for the Arnold Edinborough Award have closed. Please check back in Winter 2023.
Corporate Champion of the Arts Award
The Corporate Champion of the Arts Award recognizes a business that has strengthened arts and culture in Canada through its long-standing support of and commitment to the sector.
Nominations for the Corporate Champion of the Arts Award have closed. Please check back in Winter 2023.
Eligible candidates must:
- be a business operating in Canada
- have made a significant contribution to the arts through long-term, strategic support
- has had a meaningful impact on empowering and building the arts sector
NOTE: Recipients are eligible to win the award only once.
Nominations can be made by:
- any not-for-profit arts organizations in Canada
- any company in Canada
- self-nomination
Endorsements (maximum 3 letters) may be made by:
- executive staff and board members of other arts organizations
- a consortium of arts organizations
Nominators must complete an official nomination with the following:
1) A nomination letter (500 words max) that explicitly outlines how the business organization has strengthened arts and culture in Canada through its long-standing support of and commitment to the sector.
The letter should provide specific examples to support the following:
- the nominee has distinguished themselves as leaders in support of the arts either through a consistent history of commitment
- the scope of impact and support extends beyond the company’s immediate business interests
- the nominee has shown a visionary and innovative approach to championing the arts
- the nominee’s history of support includes but is not limited to cash or in-kind gifts, donated services, volunteerism and employee participation
- the nominee has cultivated long-term and successful relationships and partnerships with individuals and/or organizations in the arts community
- the nominee has significantly improved the arts community with measurable results
- the nominee has a long-term vision for continued growth and impact
2) A one-page company profile of the nominated business organization (can be submitted in English and/or French)
3) A colour logo for the business organization and up to five (5) photos that showcase the nominee’s success
4) Up to three (3) letters of endorsement from third parties.
Nominations for the Corporate Champion of the Arts Award have closed. Please check back in Winter 2023.
Community Impact Award
The Community Impact Award recognizes an arts and business partnership that has enhanced the quality of life and enriched a local cultural scene through innovative program(s), creative business partnerships or neighbourhood revitalization initiatives.
Nominations for the Community Impact Award have closed. Please check back in Winter 2023.
Eligible candidates must:
- be a not-for-profit arts organization and their business partner
- have made a significant contribution to the arts through a successful collaboration with business
- have shown a commitment to empowering the community through the arts
- be a Canadian organization
NOTE: Recipients are eligible to win the award only once.
Nominations can be made by:
- any not-for-profit arts organization in Canada
- any company in Canada
Nominators must complete an official nomination with the following:
1) A nomination letter (500 words max) that explicitly outlines the partnership between the nominated business and the nominating arts organization.
The letter should provide specific examples to support how the nominees have demonstrated the following:
- Impact on both arts and culture and the community
- Program innovation and/or outstanding business practices
- Cultivated long-term and successful relationships and partnerships within the community
- Created greater awareness and significantly improved the community with measurable results
- Have a long-term vision for continued growth and impact
2) A one-page company profile of the nominated arts organization (can be submitted in English and/or French)
3) A one-page company profile of the nominated business organization (can be submitted in English and/or French)
4) A colour logo for each organization and up to five (5) photos that showcase the partnership
5) Up to three (3) letters of endorsement from third parties.
*Please note, the arts organizations must be Canadian and a registered not for profit.
Nominations for the Community Impact Award have closed. Please check back in Winter 2023.
Peter Herrndorf Arts Leadership Award
Established in 2015, Peter Herrndorf Arts Leadership Award recognizes an arts leader who has spent a lifetime dedicated to fostering the arts in Canada by building partnerships with fellow arts executives, artists, media, business leaders and public sector officials to ensure a vibrant cultural sector for all Canadians.
The recipient receives $5,000 to be directed to the arts organization(s) of their choice.
We are not currently accepting nominations for the Peter Herrndorf Arts Leadership Award. Please revisit in Fall 2023.
Eligible candidates must:
- be working in the arts sector for a not-for-profit arts organization as an artist, arts administrator and/or executive
- have made a significant contribution to the arts by building relationships between the arts sector, business community and public sector
- be a Canadian citizen
NOTE: Recipients are eligible to win the award only once.
Nominations can be made by:
- any not-for-profit arts organization in Canada
- another arts administrator or artist
- a business professional
- Self-nomination
Endorsements (maximum 3 letters) may be made by:
- executives and board members of arts organizations
- artists
- public sector professionals
- business professionals
Nominators must complete an official nomination form based on the following criteria:
- Candidates’ leadership may have affected a diversity of arts organizations in the community or be demonstrated by a longstanding commitment to one particular organization. Similarly, the candidate may be known nationally or only in the community in which the individual lives, with consideration given to depth and breadth of support in relation to the size of the community in which the support has been given.
Other criteria for assessment include:
- time committed to voluntary work for the arts
- expertise actively put to good use for the arts
- money committed to the cause through personal donations and fundraising
*Please note, the arts organizations must be Canadian and a registered not for profit.