Arni Thorsteinson, O.M., and Susan Glass, C.M., are being honoured with the 2024 Edmund C. Bovey Award for their commitment to philanthropy, volunteerism, and advocacy in the arts. Through their strategic leadership and generous support, they have championed initiatives that benefit the arts and catalyze community development, leaving a lasting legacy in Manitoba and across Canada.

“Over the years, we’ve seen how integral community engagement is in shaping vibrant societies,” share Thorsteinson and Glass. “Each person’s unique contribution, through volunteerism, participation, and generosity of spirit, builds up our cultural institutions and strengthens communities. The arts are an incredible force for change and unity, and we’re honoured to collaborate with remarkable individuals and organizations who share our commitment to community well-being.”

Collectively, they have served on more than two dozen boards and committees, including the National Arts Centre, the Canadian Museum for Human Rights, the Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity, the Royal Winnipeg Ballet, the Winnipeg Art Gallery and the University of Manitoba.

Edmund C. Bovey Award Partner

“I am profoundly honoured to be receiving the esteemed Herrndorf Award from Business / Arts, and deeply gratified for what it means in its recognition of the important role Arts Umbrella plays in this country”, adds Henriquez.

“It has taken the proverbial village. It is because of everyone involved over the 45 years since its inception; its passionate instructors, staff, boards of directors, volunteers, and especially Arts Umbrella’s current CEO, Paul Larocque, who have all brought us to where we are today. Arts Umbrella now serves more than 20,000 young people ages 2 to 22 each year in the visual and performing arts, with 80% at little or no cost. An incredible milestone in my life and the life of Arts Umbrella.”

Carly McFadden is being recognized with the 2024 Arnold Edinborough Award for her outstanding contributions as the Executive and Artistic Director of the Folk On The Rocks Music Festival (FOTR). McFadden has led the festival in the Northwest Territories through remarkable growth, prioritizing inclusion and community engagement. Under her leadership, the festival’s operating budget has tripled, staffing has expanded from two roles to twenty, and over 75 community partnerships and sponsorships have been established.

“It is leaders like McFadden who promote and advance the development of the arts in the North,” affirms FOTR’s Board Chair Kayla Cooper and Operations Manager Teresa Horosko. “Through her direction, the festival provides premiere performances of Canadian and International artists to our Northern community and acts as a launching pad for up-and-coming Northern artists.”

Manitoba Liquor & Lotteries (MBLL) is being celebrated with the 2024 Corporate Champion of the Arts Award for its commitment to supporting arts and culture across Manitoba. As the sponsor of hundreds of community festivals, arts and cultural events, and charitable fundraising initiatives throughout the province every year, MBLL aims to enrich the lives of all Manitobans. Their commitment to the arts is longstanding, spanning decades of support for cultural institutions across Manitoba, including the Royal Manitoba Theatre Centre, the Royal Winnipeg Ballet, Winnipeg Folk Festival, Prairie Theatre Exchange, and numerous others.

“Manitoba is a province rich in culture and diversity and we are proud to partner with so many outstanding organizations that contribute to the vibrant fabric of our communities,” says Gerry Sul, President & CEO, Manitoba Liquor & Lotteries. “We know that when our arts and cultural organizations succeed, we are all better for it.”

Barrydowne Paint and We Live Up Here are receiving the 2024 Community Impact Award for their creative partnership, which has resulted in the creation of over 100 murals and public art pieces. Their collaborative efforts have transformed downtown Sudbury into a vibrant hub of artistic expression, community pride, and urban revitalization.

“It’s not just about beautifying spaces,” states Christian Pelletier, Board President of We Live Up Here. “It’s about storytelling and breathing life into the city’s narrative through creative placemaking. Once completed, the works created for the festival belong to the community, telling the story of our city—one that honours but evolves from the perception of a region long known for its mining and educational industries. It sends the message that innovation and urbanity have a place here.”

Community Impact Award Partner

Presenting Partner

Celebrate Manitoba Partner