2025 Edmund C. Bovey Award Recipients

Richard Rooney & Laura Dinner

Richard Rooney and Laura Dinner are being honoured for their exceptional philanthropic leadership and decades of volunteerism in support of the arts in Canada.

They have championed institutions such as Stratford Festival, National Ballet of Canada, Art Gallery of Ontario, Gardiner Museum, and Tarragon Theatre. Generous and thoughtful, they support a wide range of initiatives and programs that elevate artistic excellence across the country. 

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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.

2025 Peter Herrndorf Arts Leadership Award Recipient

Christopher Deacon

Christopher Deacon is being celebrated for his extraordinary 44-year career in service of the performing arts, which includes seven years as President and CEO of the National Arts Centre, and 22 years as Managing Director of its Orchestra.

His exceptional leadership has enabled the NAC to amplify Canadian voices, embrace bold artistic work, engage with new audiences, and reflect the diversity, ambition and creativity of Canada on the NAC’s four stages, and on stages across the country.

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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.

2025 Arnold Edinborough Award Recipient

Umair Jaffar

Umair Jaffar, CEO of Small World Music, is being recognized for his community-driven leadership and eff orts to expand access and opportunity in the arts. Under his guidance, Small World Music has strengthened its operations and broadened its impact.

Through strategic partnerships and innovative programming, the organization now supports more than 1,700 artists annually—over 90% of whom are from equity-deserving communities. His dedication to the arts extends to volunteering across the sector with Folk Music Canada, CAPACOA, the Juno Awards and others.

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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.

2025 Corporate Champion of the Arts Award Recipient

Nicola Wealth

Nicola Wealth is receiving the 2025 Corporate Champion of the Arts Award for its commitment to Canadian arts and culture. Guided by a core value of community care, their support spans financial contributions, volunteerism, and meaningful partnerships that set a national example for corporate leadership in the arts.

Their partnerships extend across the country, supporting organizations such as Arts Umbrella, Audain Art Museum, Bard on the Beach, National Ballet of Canada, and Vancouver Symphony Orchestra. 

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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.

2025 Community Impact Award Recipients

QuadReal Property Group and Arts Etobicoke

QuadReal Property Group and Arts Etobicoke are receiving the 2025 Community Impact Award for their collaborative creation of Cloverdale Common—a vibrant public space at Cloverdale Mall that has reimagined how art and community connect. Animated with input from local residents, Cloverdale Common has welcomed over 15,000 visitors and supported more than 200 local artists.

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