Celebrating the power of partnership between business and the arts
Presented annually, the Business / Arts Awards recognize innovative partnerships between business and the arts, and spotlight exceptional volunteers, leaders and companies who have made a significant contribution to the arts in Canada.
Discover the origins of our five prestigious awards and see who has previously received these honours.
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
2026 – Louise and James Temerty, C.M.
2025 – Laura Dinner and Richard Rooney
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, 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
2026 – Janice Price
2025– Christopher Deacon
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
2026 – Neesha Hothi
2025 – Umair Jaffar
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
2026 – MacLeod Group
2025 – Nicola Wealth
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
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
2026 – Jamii & Berkeley Castle
2025 – QuadReal Property Group & Arts Etobicoke
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
Visit businessandarts.org/awards to learn more about the 2026 Business / Arts Awards Celebration and this year’s recipients.
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