If you can judge a community’s pride by the number of artists’ works displayed in public places, then St. Albert has it in spades.
Once again the city seeks to honour its dedicated artists at the Second Annual Arts Awards presented at the Mayor’s Gala on Sept. 17. In the meantime, the St. Albert Cultivates the Arts committee urges the community to mail in nominations of worthy artists in visual arts, performing, literary, film and video disciplines.
“The awards bring recognition to the hard work artists do and that’s important. The arts are not a frill. They are a necessary part of life and it’s important to recognize people who make our life rich and meaningful. It’s incredibly important as the world gets faster and more technically driven to stay connected to the arts,” says St. Albert Cultivates the Arts Committee co-chair Nancy Watt.
Awards will be presented in seven categories: lifetime achievement, youth artist, emerging artist, excellence in arts teaching, promotion of the arts, sustained support of the arts and creative partnership.
“We’ve kept the categories very similar to last year. They cover a broad base for individuals, groups and businesses.”
While the first four awards are aimed at recognizing the efforts and achievements of individuals, the last three also include businesses and local non-profits.
Last year the committee received 42 nominations. “For a first year it was terrific. Now that people are aware of it, we are preparing for more.”
All recipients receive an award crafted by a local artist. The lifetime achievement recipient, youth artist, emerging artist and excellence in arts teaching beneficiaries also receive $1,000 each.
Judging is conducted by independent members of the committee: Watt, Peter Moloney, Sandy Kordyback, Dean McKinney, Sandra Mooney-Ellerbeck, Alan Glaser, Francis Gagnon, Marie Dack, Tracey Eisenstat and Nancy Abrahamson.
Nomination deadline is Tuesday, June 15. Guidelines and forms are available at www.startsfest.ca