Business / Arts Awards Celebration
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.
With a community of business and arts leaders across Canada dedicating tremendous amounts of time, talent and treasure to the arts, we are proud to recognize their efforts and share their stories in hopes of inspiring others.
Awards:
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 $25,000 to direct towards an arts organization(s) of their choice.
Previous Award Recipients
- 2024 – Arni Thorsteinson, O.M. & Susan Glass, C.M.
- 2023 – Pierre Lassonde, O.C., G.O.Q.
- 2022 – Frances and Tim Price
- 2021 – Donald Ross, O.C. & Gretchen Ross
- 2019 – Jenny Belzberg, C.M., A.O.E., LL.D.
- 2018 – The Honourable Margaret Norrie McCain, C.C., O.N.B.
- 2017 – Tony Gagliano, LL.D
- 2016 – Catherine (Kiki) Delaney, C.M., LL.D.
- 2015 – Philip Taylor
- 2014 – The Honourable Hilary M. Weston, C.M., C.V.O, O.Ont.
- 2013 – Gary Slaight, C.M., O.Ont.
- 2012 – Pierre Bourgie, C.M., O.Q., C.O.M.
- 2011 – John McKellar, C.M., K.C., J.D.
- 2010 – Gail Asper, O.C., O.M., LL.D.
- 2009 – A. Charles Baillie, O.C.
- 2008 – The Honourable Henry N.R. Jackman, O.C., O.Ont., C.D.
- 2007 – Donald K. Johnson, O.C., LL.D.
- 2006 – Michael M. Koerner, C.M.
- 2005 – David Glenn Fountain, C.M., O.N.S., C.D.
- 2004 – Michael James Audain, O.C., O.B.C.
- 2003 – Dr. James D. Fleck, C.C., LL.D.
- 2002 – Dr. Theodore Rozsa, O.C.
- 2001 – Dr. Israel Asper, O.C., O.M., K.C., LL.D.
- 2000 – James B. Pitblado, C.M.
- 1998 – The Honourable John Allen Fraser, P.C., O.C., O.B.C., C.D., K.C.
- 1997 – John (Jack) R. Craig, O.C.
- 1996 – David Lemon, M.S.M.
- 1995 – George R. Gardiner, O.C., O.Ont.
- 1994 – Jake Moore
- 1993 – Eric Charman, C.M., O.B.C.
- 1992 – Dr. Francis Winspear, O.C.
- 1991 – Kathleen M. Richardson, C.C., O.M.
- 1990 – Edmund C. Bovey, O.C.
Peter Herrndorf Arts Leadership Award
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 with fellow arts executives, artists, media, business leaders and public sector officials to ensure a vibrant cultural sector for all Canadians.
The recipient receives $10,000 to be directed to the arts organization(s) of their choice.
Previous Award Recipients
- 2024 – Carol Henriquez, C.M.
- 2023 – Dr. Stephen Borys, O.M.
- 2022 – Dr. Peter Simon, O.Ont.
- 2021– Mavis Staines, C.M., DHumL
- 2019 – Antoni Cimolino, C.M.
- 2018 – Nathalie Bondil, C.M., C.Q., Ch.O.M.
- 2017 – Piers Handling, O.C., O.Ont.
- 2016 – Karen Alexandria Kain, C.C., O.Ont.
- 2015 – Peter Herrndorf, C.C., O.Ont.
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.
Previous Award Recipients
- 2024 – Carly McFadden
- 2023 – Owais Lightwala
- 2022 – John-Michael Erlendson
- 2021 – James Ingold
- 2019 – Paul Desmarais III
- 2018 – Ali Shivji
- 2017 – Diane Obam Dallaire
- 2016 – Irfhan Rawji
- 2015 – Jan-Fryderyk Pleszczynski
- 2014 – Chris Farias
- 2013 – Stephen Delaney
- 2012 – Mo Dhaliwal
- 2011 – Simon Foster
- 2010 – The Honourable Mélanie Joly, P.C., M.P.
- 2009 – Marcello Cabezas
- 2008 – Claudia Moore
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.
Previous Award Recipients
- 2024 – Manitoba Liquor & Lotteries
- 2023 – Power Corporation of Canada
- 2022 – BT/A Advertising
- 2022 – Canada Goose
- 2021 – Equitable Bank
- 2019 – RBC Foundation
- 2018 – Protocase Inc.
- 2017 – Air Canada
- 2016 – Sun Life Financial
- 2015 – Great West Life, London Life, and Canada Life
- 2014 – BMO Financial Group
- 2013 – RBC Foundation, RBC Emerging Artists Project
- 2012 – TD Bank Group
- 2011 – Enbridge
- 2010 – Husky Energy
- 2009 – Telus
- 2008 – Sun Life Financial
- 2007 – TD Bank Financial Group
- 2006 – BMO Financial Group
- 2005 – Alcan BC
- 2004 – Sun Life Financial
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.
The awarded arts organization receives $5,000.
Previous Award Recipients
- 2024 – Barrydowne Paint & We Live Up Here
- 2023 – BC Museums Association & Forager Education
- 2022 – Stagehand & Calgary’s Music Mile
- 2021 – Netflix & Hot Docs
- 2019 – TELUS & Green Thumb Theatre
- 2018 – Sun Life Financial for their Musical Instrument Lending Library
- 2017 – PATTISON Outdoor Advertising & VIBE Arts
- 2016 – The Daniels Corporation & Artscape
- 2015 – First Air & the National Arts Centre
- 2014 – Manulife & Luminato Festival
2025 Awards Celebration:
On Monday, October 6th, over 330 leaders, luminaries and cultural champions from across Canada gathered at the Royal Ontario Museum for the 2025 Business / Arts Awards Celebration.
The memorable evening featured a dynamic performance by Kellylee Evans, and a Shakespearean revue curated by the Stratford Festival. At the heart of the celebration were the award recipients—visionary individuals and organizations driving innovation and artistic growth in Canada. See the highlights here.
