2026 Edmund C. Bovey Award Recipients

Louise and James Temerty, C.M.

Louise and James Temerty, C.M., are being honoured for their remarkable legacy of philanthropic leadership and volunteerism in support of the arts in Canada.

They approach philanthropy with the conviction that investing in arts and culture is an investment in society itself, fostering human development, social cohesion, and a more connected Canada.

“The arts are a pillar of vibrant, economically competitive communities. We have always believed in the importance of supporting cultural institutions as they tell our stories and connect us through shared experiences. We are honoured to receive this recognition and to continue to work alongside organizations expanding access to the arts across Canada.” — Louise and James Temerty, C.M.

Read more about the Temertys

Named after the first chairman of Business / Arts, the Edmund C. Bovey Award recognizes an individual or couple who has demonstrated a lifetime of significant philanthropy and/or volunteer leadership in arts and culture in Canada.

2026 Peter Herrndorf Arts Leadership Award Recipient

Janice Price

Janice Price is being celebrated for over four decades of leadership, advocacy, and volunteer service to the arts. Throughout her career, she has guided major institutions through periods of transformational growth and renewal, and earned a reputation as a trusted mentor to arts leaders across the country.

“A career in this sector teaches you that great arts and culture experiences are never the work of one person — they’re enabled by communities of artists, administrators, and partners. Canada’s arts and culture sector has an incredible depth of talent and ambition, and I’ve been fortunate to work alongside remarkable leaders and to mentor the next generation, seeing their impact carry forward. I’m honoured to receive this award named for my longtime friend and mentor, the late Peter Herrndorf’.” — Janice Price, President & CEO, ROM Governors

Read more about Janice Price

Established in 2015, the Peter Herrndorf Arts Leadership Award recognizes an arts leader who has spent a lifetime dedicated to fostering the arts in Canada by building partnerships to ensure a vibrant cultural sector.

2026 Arnold Edinborough Award Recipient

Neesha Hothi

Neesha Hothi is being recognized for her work at the intersection of culture and community. For more than two decades championing South Asian artists and organizations, she has helped build stronger connections, expand access, and shape a more inclusive arts sector across Canada.

Hothi is a community builder whose volunteer and professional work spans entrepreneurship and cultural strategy across Canada’s arts and music sector. As Founder and Principal Strategist of Neesh Communications, she leads equity-driven, culturally fluent work in entertainment and the arts.

“Much of my work has focused on building the visibility, relationships, and opportunities that help artists and communities too often pushed to the margins move to the mainstage. I’ve always believed cultural work is about creating pathways so the next generation sees themselves reflected in leadership, creativity, and the stories we tell as a country. Cultural fluency is a strength and it is essential to the future of Canada’s arts sector. I’m deeply honoured by this recognition and grateful to the many collaborators who have helped shape this work.” — Neesha Hothi

Read more about Neesha Hothi

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.

2026 Corporate Champion of the Arts Award Recipient

MacLeod Group

For decades, MacLeod Group has strengthened cultural life across Atlantic Canada, investing in the organizations that serve local communities.

Founded in 1984 by the late Brian and Irene MacLeod, MacLeod Group is a leading provider of long-term care and retirement living services across Atlantic Canada. From its earliest days, the organization has been guided by a philosophy that places community connection, cultural support, and social responsibility at the heart of its mission.

“We are honoured to carry forward Brian and Irene MacLeod’s legacy of supporting the arts. They understood that strong communities are built not only through care, but through connection, creativity, and shared experiences. That belief continues to guide us today, as we invest in the people and organizations that bring culture to life across our communities.”  – Ramsay Duff, CEO, MacLeod Group

Read more about MacLeod Group

The Corporate Champion of the Arts Award recognizes a corporation that has strengthened arts and culture in Canada through its long-standing support of and commitment to the sector.

2026 Community Impact Award Recipients

Jamii & Berkeley Castle

For fifteen years, the partnership between Jamii and Berkeley Castle has helped transform Toronto’s Esplanade neighbourhood and David Crombie Park into a vibrant, community-centred arts campus woven into everyday life.

Jamii, Swahili for “community”, is a dynamic arts organization dedicated to fostering connection, belonging, and creative participation through inclusive arts experiences. Anchored by Berkeley Castle’s restored 19th-century industrial complex, the partnership has created welcoming spaces where artists, residents, and audiences of all ages can gather, create, and connect.

“At the heart of Jamii is a belief in the power of the arts to bring people together. We create spaces where neighbours, artists, and families feel connected to one another and to the community around them.” – Isorine Marc, Founder and Artistic/Executive Director, Jamii

“For us, this partnership is about investing in place-making through the arts — and continuing to evolve alongside the community it serves. We’re proud to help build a cultural home where artists, residents, and community life can grow together.” – Linda Leistner, Manager, Berkeley Castle

The Community Impact Award recognizes an arts and business partnership that has enhanced the quality of life and enriched a local cultural scene through an innovative program, partnership or neighbourhood revitalization initiative.

Presenting Partner