Nominations for the 2026 Business / Arts Awards are now open!

Presented annually, the Business / Arts Awards recognize innovative partnerships between business and the arts, and spotlight exceptional volunteers, leaders and organizations who have made a significant contribution to the arts in Canada.

We are thrilled to announce that nominations for the 2026 Business / Arts Awards are now open until Monday December 15, 2025! 

Nominate yourself or another champion of the arts for one of the awards below:

Peter Herrndorf Arts Leadership Award: 

Recognize an arts leader who has spent a lifetime dedicated to the arts in Canada. This award celebrates an exceptional leader who has built meaningful partnerships, ensuring a vibrant cultural sector for all Canadians.

The recipient will receive $10,000 to be directed to the arts organization(s) of their choice.

Arnold Edinborough Award:

Applaud a young leader who is driving change within their community. This award recognizes a young professional from any sector who has made an outstanding contribution to Canadian arts and culture.

The recipient will receive $5,000 to be directed to the arts organization(s) of their choice.

Learn more about eligibility criteria and how to nominate

Corporate Champion of the Arts Award:

Celebrate the contributions of a corporate sponsor, partner or champion that has strengthened arts and culture in Canada. This award celebrates a business that has made significant contributions to the arts through long-term and strategic support.

Learn more about eligibility criteria and how to nominate

Community Impact Award:

Spotlight a local partnership that has had a meaningful community impact. This award recognizes a partnership between an arts organization and a business that has enhanced quality of life and enriched a local cultural scene through innovative programming, creative partnership, or a neighbourhood revitalization initiative.

The awarded arts organization will receive $5,000.

Learn more about eligibility criteria and how to nominate

Edmund C. Bovey Award: 

Honour the generosity of an individual or a couple that has strengthened Canada’s cultural landscape. This award recognizes business professionals and/or philanthropists who have demonstrated a lifetime of significant philanthropy and/or volunteer leadership in arts and culture in Canada.

The recipient(s) will receive $25,000 to be directed to the arts organization(s) of their choice.

Visit businessandarts.org/nominate to learn more about the Business / Arts Awards program, the eligibility criteria for each award and how to nominate yourself or another champion of the arts. Nominations are open until Monday, December 15, 2025.

Have you submitted a nomination in the past?

Each year, the selection committee takes the current state of the sector into account when reviewing submissions. If a nomination was not successful in a previous year, we encourage you to update the nomination package and resubmit. It’s an excellent opportunity to highlight new achievements or impacts.

If you have any questions about the nomination process, do not hesitate to contact us at info@businessforthearts.org.