Peterborough Arts Awards 2024
Program Guidelines and Nomination Form

EXTENDED Nomination Deadline: January 14, 2025 at 11:59 pm

Download the nomination form HERE.

Overview

The Peterborough Arts Awards are annual awards established to honour and recognize excellence and outstanding achievement by professional artists, arts organizations, and arts supporters living and working in our city and county. Six cash awards of $2,000 each are presented, with winners selected by a peer jury from a multi-disciplinary pool of nominated candidates. Two runners-up in each category will each receive $250.00. The awards are presented at the Mayor’s Luncheon for the Arts.

Following a hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Peterborough Arts Awards and Mayor’s Luncheon for the Arts return in 2024-25. Nominations are now open for the Peterborough Arts Awards and the Mayor’s Luncheon takes place on February 13, 2025, at the Canadian Canoe Museum (further details to be announced closer to the event).

This program is entirely funded by private-sector sponsors, corporations and business. The competition and the lunch are organized and administered by the Electric City Culture Council EC3), our municipal arts council, that receives its Operating and Programming funding from the City of Peterborough. Special thanks to Bill Lockington and LLF Lawyers for their leadership of this project.

The nomination process for the Peterborough Arts Awards includes both a Nominator and a Nominee working together. There are no self-nominations; however potential Nominees may feel free to contact a Nominator and work together on the application/nomination.

Award Categories

See past winners: Peterborough Arts Awards 2018 and 2019

Outstanding Emerging Artist: This award recognizes outstanding achievement by an artist working professionally in any discipline, in the early stages of their career. The candidate displays great promise and ambition, has completed, and presented, exhibited, published, or performed at least one artwork to the public in a professional setting (student work not included), and has been practicing in their field for at least two years. Previous recipients: Melody Thomas (2018), Nimkii Osawamick (2019).

Outstanding Mid-Career Artist: This award recognizes outstanding achievement by an artist who has been working professionally for at least five years in any discipline. The candidate has received recognition for their work in Peterborough and beyond, has completed and presented, exhibited, published, or performed at least three artworks and/or projects to the public in a professional setting, and continues to demonstrate the potential to excel in their practice. Previous recipients: Brad Brackenridge (2018), Beau Dixon and Patti Shaughnessy (2019, shared award).

Outstanding Senior Artist: This award recognizes an artist working professionally in any discipline who has a substantial history of outstanding achievement and who has made a significant contribution to their discipline, impacting arts practice in Peterborough and beyond. The candidate has completed and presented, exhibited, published, or performed at least five artworks and/or projects to the public in a professional setting and has been practicing for at least 15 years. Previous recipients: Robert Winslow (2018), Alice Williams (2019).

Outstanding Achievement by an Indigenous Artist: This award recognizes an Indigenous artist who has demonstrated outstanding achievement in any artistic discipline. The candidate has made significant contributions to the strength and vitality of the Indigenous arts community and, through sharing their work, has contributed to a better understanding of the importance of Indigenous culture in today's world. Their arts practice has made a significant impact in the Peterborough region and within their respective discipline. Previous recipients: Leanne Betasamosake Simpson (2018), Hilary Wear (2019).

Arts Champion: This award recognizes a person who has, for ten years or more, consistently provided outstanding support and encouragement for the development of the arts in Peterborough through philanthropy, volunteerism, or the development of partnerships and collaborations. This prize is given to an individual who in turn, gives it to a local not-for-profit professional arts organization. Previous recipients: Beth McMaster (2018), Charlie Werger (2019).

Arts Catalyst: This award recognizes outstanding achievement by a professional arts administrator or manager, fundraiser, art critic, curator, educator, programmer, or producer who has worked behind the scenes to build excellence in the arts. The candidate has worked for ten years or more, making a vital contribution to the development and ongoing vitality of the arts in Peterborough. Previous recipients: Krista English (2018), Ryan Kerr (2019).

Nomination Instructions

• To nominate someone for an award, fill out the Nomination Form at the end of this document, and gather the necessary additional documents, as outlined in the ‘Nomination Package’ section of this document.
• Nominations will be accepted by email only to peterboroughartsawards@gmail.com by the deadline, January 14, 2025. Late or incomplete nominations will not be accepted.
• Nominators and Nominees are encouraged to contact EC3 at any point in the process if they have any questions or concerns about completing the forms.
• Use the checklist at the end of the Nomination Form to ensure you have included all the required information and documents.

Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Accessibility

The Electric City Culture Council is committed to Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Accessibility in all our programs and encourages nominations from self-identified members of marginalized/racialized, equity seeking communities (visible and invisible), including BIPOC artists, Deaf and hard of hearing artists, artists with disabilities, new Canadians, and those artists identifying as 2SLGBTQ+.

EC3 is committed to establishing fair and equitable practices for all of our programs and services in accordance with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA).

Persons with disabilities are encouraged to come forward at any stage of the nomination process to request accommodations, if needed. Members of our team will consult and can adapt processes wherever possible to provide individuals with disabilities with equal opportunity to apply.

EC3 encourages nominations from all those who live in our diverse community and advocates for equal opportunity for all in the nomination and selection process. EC3 is committed to supporting and promoting diverse artists, artistic practices, and arts communities that represent a wide cross-section of Peterborough and the surrounding area, including artists who identify as Indigenous, Black, or people of colour, as well as artists with disabilities, Deaf and hard of hearing artists and artists who are members of marginalized religious, sexual orientation, and gender identity groups. EC3 strives to make our juries, selection, and assessment committees equitable and inclusive by ensuring broad representation from the communities outlined above.

If you are a first-time nominator or nominee and need assistance with the process, please contact EC3 to peterboroughartsawards@gmail.com.

Nomination Package

All nominations must include:

• Completed and Signed Nomination Form (click to download)
• Nomination Letter (maximum 2 pages)
  • This letter should introduce the jury to the nominee and either their artistic practice or their cultural work as a volunteer, staff member, or independent professional. It should address the assessment criteria for the given award as well as the nominee’s commitment, notable accomplishments, and/or potential in their given field. Please communicate how the artist is involved in and has contributed to the city’s arts community and why they are worthy of the Award.
• Letter of Support (maximum 2 pages) (optional)
  • You may also include a letter of support from another member of the community to strengthen the nomination.
• Curriculum Vitae (maximum 3 pages)
  • The CV should demonstrate the nominee’s artistic achievements. For artist categories, this should include participation in art projects (such as exhibitions, performances, recordings, published works, etc.), and their formal and informal training. For non-artist categories, the CV should include their activities related to supporting the local arts scene.
• Support Materials (for the Artist categories only)
  • Include examples of the artist’s work that are relevant to the nomination and constitute an appropriate representation of the artist’s practice. Images, audio, and/or video files are all accepted, as well as links to online materials (e.g. YouTube, Vimeo, Bandcamp, Google Drive, Dropbox).
    • Images: Up to 10 image files (JPG, GIF, PNG, or PDF)
    • Audio/Video: Up to 6 files (or links) with a maximum total running time of 18 minutes
    • Text: A single document (DOC, DOCX, or PDF) containing one or more excerpts of writing (poetry, creative writing, original composition, script, etc.) with a maximum length of 10 pages
• High Resolution Digital Photo of Nominee

Eligibility Criteria

The nomination process for the Peterborough Arts Awards includes both a Nominator and a Nominee working together. There are no self-nominations; however potential Nominees may feel free to contact a Nominator and work together on the application/nomination.

Nominator eligibility criteria:

• Residents of the City or County of Peterborough (including Curve Lake and Hiawatha First Nations) who have been living in the community for at least two years may nominate an individual for an award.
• Individuals are not permitted to nominate a family member, employee, or student, and may not nominate themselves. Please contact EC3 if you have any concerns about a potential conflict of interest.
• You may not nominate yourself.
• Nominators may not sit on the Peterborough Arts Awards jury.

Nominee eligibility criteria:

• Residents of the City or County of Peterborough (including Curve Lake and Hiawatha First Nations) who have been living in the community for at least two years may be nominated for an award
• All candidates must be professional artists* (or arts supporter/worker, in the Arts Champion and Arts Catalyst categories). A professional artist is someone who has developed skills through education, training, or practice and who is recognized by other artists working in the same artistic tradition. Professional artists have a history of public exhibition, presentation, or publication and have received payment for their work. Students are not eligible for these awards.
  Artists working in any discipline (visual arts, media arts, theatre and performance art, dance, music, literary arts, circus arts, interdisciplinary arts, etc.) are eligible for an award.
• Candidates may not nominate themselves for the award and may only receive a specific award once (this does not preclude a recipient from being considered for a Peterborough Arts Award in a different category, in the future).
• A candidate will only be considered for an award twice in any four-year period.
• Candidates must be living at the time of selection.
• Staff, Board, and committee members of the Electric City Culture Council (EC3) are not eligible to receive an award and may not submit nominations.

*EC3 defines a “professional artist” as someone who has developed skills through training or practice, is recognized by artists working in the same artistic tradition, has a history of public presentation or publication for at least one year, seeks payment for their work and actively practices their art. Short breaks in artistic work history are acceptable.

Assessment Criteria

In addition to determining the candidate’s edibility for the award based on the specific requirements for the award (outlined in ‘Award Categories’ above), the jury will be guided by the following general assessment criteria:

• The overall public impact of the candidate’s work
• Strength and merit of the candidate’s artistic achievements, goals, and objectives (for the artist categories only)
• Contribution of the candidate to the development of arts and culture in Peterborough (for the non-artist categories only)

Details of Selection Process

The jury will select a two-person shortlist and one recipient for each award. It will endeavor to reach consensus/unanimous decisions in the selection process, but in occasions where unanimity is not achieved, a decision may be reached by majority vote. In cases where a suitable winner is not found within the field of nominated candidates, the Peterborough Arts Awards Jury reserves the right to make no award in any category in any given year. Members of the jury are not disclosed until the day of the event to mitigate lobbying and potential conflicts of interest and their deliberations and decisions are strictly confidential. The jury will present only one award in each category.

The shortlist will be made public in advance of the official awards presentation, with the recipient announced at the Mayor’s Luncheon for the Arts on February 13, 2025. Winners receive a free ticket and are expected to attend the Mayor’s Luncheon for the Arts.

Notification

• Shortlisted candidates are notified in advance by EC3, and the shortlist is publicized. Winners are announced at the Mayor’s Luncheon for the Arts event on February 13, 2025.
• Shortlisted candidates and their nominators are each provided one ticket each to the Mayor’s Luncheon.

Conflict of Interest

Jurors must complete a Conflict of Interest Form and declare all possible conflicts before the assessment process begins. If in the course of a jury’s deliberations, any juror becomes faced with a conflict of interest, that person is expected to declare such conflict and withdraw from the selection/voting process on that award.

A conflict of interest refers to a situation in which private interests or personal considerations may affect a jury member’s judgment in acting in the best interest of the awards adjudication process. Specifically, a conflict of interest exists where a jury member has a financial interest in the success or failure of a candidate; has a personal interest in a specific candidate other than what is normally expected of an interested member of the arts community; or has any other reason which makes them unable to evaluate the candidate objectively.

Nomination Workshop

Want to learn more about the PETERBOROUGH ARTS AWARDS? Do you have questions about putting together a nomination?

Come to EC3's FREE Peterborough Arts Awards Nomination Workshop on November 27, 2024 at 7:00pm (please note: new date) at Artspace Peterborough (378 Aylmer St N). Hear all about the program from EC3 staff and past Arts Awards winners. Learn tips and tricks from the experts, and ask any questions you may have about the program or putting together a nomination. Find out more.

Important Dates

• October 30, 2024: Nomination Period Opens
• November 27, 2024: Nomination Workshop at Artspace
• January 14, 2025 (EXTENDED DEADLINE): Nominations Due (at 11:59pm)

Nomination Form

Download the Peterborough Arts Awards Nomination Form. Nominations accepted via email only to peterboroughartsawards@gmail.com before January 14, 2025 at 11:59pm.

For further information, contact:
Su Ditta
Executive Director, EC3
electriccitycc@gmail.com
www.ecthree.org