The Electric City Culture Council (EC3) has announced the 15 finalists for the Peterborough Arts Awards.
The winners, selected by a peer jury from a multi-disciplinary pool of nominated candidates, will be announced at a reception from 5 to 7 p.m. on Thursday, June 12 at the Canadian Canoe Museum (2077 Ashburnham Dr., Peterborough).
Funded entirely by private-sector sponsors, corporations, and businesses, the Peterborough Arts Awards provide cash awards of $2,000 to winners in each of the six categories listed below and cash awards of $250 for each of the two runners-up in each category, for a total of $15,000 in awards.
Outstanding Emerging Artist
Sponsored by Tim Barrie of Merit II Realty Limited, this award recognizes outstanding achievement by an artist, working professionally in any discipline, who has been practising in their field for at least two years.
The finalists are Káhnitha, Elisha May Rubacha, and Lynda Todd.
Outstanding Mid-Career Artist
Sponsored by an anonymous donor, this award recognizes outstanding achievement by an artist, working professionally in any discipline, who has been practising in their field for at least five years.
The finalists are Michael C. Duguay, Nicole Malbeuf, and Olivia Whetung.
Outstanding Senior Artist
Sponsored by Paul and Kristine Hickey, this award recognizes outstanding achievement by an artist, working professionally in any discipline, who has been practising in their field for at least 15 years.
The finalists are Syd Birrell, Kim Blackwell, and Frank Flynn
Outstanding Achievement by an Indigenous Artist
Sponsored by Bill Lockington of LLF Lawyers LLP, this award recognizes outstanding achievement by an Indigenous artist, working professionally in any discipline, contemporary or traditional form.
The finalists are Sarah DeCarlo and William Kingfisher.
Arts Champion
Sponsored by Paul Bennett of Ashburnham Realty, this award recognizes a person who has consistently provided outstanding support and encouragement for the development of the arts in Peterborough through philanthropy, volunteerism, or the development of partnerships and collaborations (the prize is given to an individual who, in turn, gives it to a local not-for-profit professional arts organization).
The sole finalist is David Goyette.
Arts Catalyst
Sponsored by Kate and Alex Ramsay, 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 finalists are Lindy Finlan, Chad Hogan, and Jason Wilkins.
Along with the announcement of the award winners, the June 12 event will feature canapes and cocktails and pop-up performances by 11 of the city’s best artists: Curtis Dreidger (fiddle), Jennifer Elchuck (Praying Mantis-Woodland and the Wilds Promenade), Kelli Marshall (pow wow dancing), Victoria Yeh (fusion violin), Dan Fortin (jazz stand-up bass), Janet McCue (Indigenous drumming and singing), Brad Brackenridge (puppetry), Justin Million (instant poetry), Samantha Banton (poetry), and Kate Suhr and Melissa Payne (closing musical number).
Missy Knott, an acclaimed musician from Curve Lake First Nation and a member of the Ontario Arts Council Board, will be the guest speaker.
Tickets are $20 and can be purchased online at eventbrite.ca/e/1363584972359.
An independent not-for-profit service organization supporting the arts in Peterborough and the surrounding region, EC3 established the Peterborough Arts Awards to honour and recognize excellence and outstanding achievement of professional artists, arts organizations, and arts supporters living and working the city and county of Peterborough.
