HomeNews Nominations for Toronto Arts Foundation's Awards are open

Nominations for Toronto Arts Foundation's Awards are open

Nominations accepted till February 8, 2021

Each year, with the support of donors and sponsors, Toronto Arts Foundation celebrates Toronto’s artists and arts organizations through their Awards program. Did you know that you can submit a nomination?

Join us in honouring Toronto's artists, arts organizations and cultural leaders by nominating them for the Toronto Arts Foundation Awards in recognition of artistic excellence, leadership and contribution to the arts in Toronto.

Nominations are welcome from any of Toronto's great art supporters and patrons, fellow artists, arts managers and arts board members. 

The following awards will be presented in May 2021:

Arts for Youth Award

The Arts for Youth Award is a $20,000 cash prize, with finalists receiving $2,000. The award celebrates an individual, collective or organization that has demonstrated an outstanding commitment to engaging Toronto’s youth through the arts and artistic creation.

Emerging Artist Award

The Emerging Artist Award is a $10,000 cash prize, with finalists receiving $2,000. The award celebrates the accomplishments and future potential of an emerging Toronto artist working in any discipline. Established in 2006, the award supports the development or completion of new work.

Margo Bindhardt and Rita Davies Award

The Margo Bindhardt and Rita Davies Award is a $10,000 cash prize, with finalists receiving $1,000. The award celebrates an individual artist, creator, volunteer or administrator who has demonstrated creative cultural leadership in the development of arts and culture in Toronto. This award is presented every two years.

Muriel Sherrin Award

The Muriel Sherrin Award is a $10,000 cash prize that celebrates an artist or creator who has made a contribution to the cultural life of Toronto through outstanding achievement in music or dance. The recipient will also have participated in international initiatives, including touring, studying abroad and participating in artist exchanges. In addition to the prize money, the 2021 recipient will receive a complimentary week long stay at Valleyview Artist Retreat. The award rotates from music to dance in alternating prize years. In 2021, the award will be presented in the field of dance. The Muriel Sherrin Award is presented every two years.

The following award will be presented in June 2021:

Emerging Jazz Artist Award

The Emerging Jazz Artist Award is a $10,000 cash prize with finalists receiving $1,000. The award furthers the career of an outstanding emerging jazz artist and is intended to support the pre-production, production, and/or recording of original music composed by the recipient.

Nominating is easy, but if you need a bit of help we encourage you to attend a helpful online information session. To book your spot, click on the link below on the date you wish to attend:

About Toronto Arts Foundation

Toronto Arts Foundation is a charitable organization that sparks creative connections, spotlights artistic excellence, and supports vibrant cultural growth throughout our diverse city, through private sector investment. 

Contact information: