2009 News and Information
Richmond Launches Inaugural Arts Awards
05 February 2009Classical music, photography, Ikebana, watercolour painting, ballet, poetry, videography – the range of art experiences and expressions found in Richmond is endless. In recognition of how the arts enhance our city and our lives in countless ways, Richmond is proud to launch the annual Arts Awards.
The awards program is designed to recognize the achievements in, and contributions to, the arts by Richmond residents, artists, educators, organizers and business leaders. The public is encouraged to submit nominations by March 16 for the awards in April 2009.
“The Art Awards are intended to promote, celebrate and honour the strong talent within our arts community, as well as those who support the arts through sponsorship and volunteerism,” says Mayor Malcolm Brodie. “We have some very creative, hard-working and acclaimed people involved in the arts in our midst. I am delighted we have the opportunity to recognize them for their achievements and contributions to our City.”
The Richmond Arts Awards, developed in partnership with the Richmond Arts Coalition and sponsored by the Richmond News and Opacity Design Group Inc., will celebrate excellence in six categories: Business and the Arts, Volunteerism, Cultural Leadership, Artistic Innovation, Arts Education and Youth Arts. All artistic disciplines are eligible: visual, performing, literary and culinary arts, as well as craft, environmental arts and new media.
The call for submissions begins now and runs until March 16. Finalists in each category will be named on March 30. On April 17 Mayor Brodie will announce the winners.
“Richmond is home to dozens of arts organizations and hundreds of individual artists, arts educators and arts supporters who work tirelessly to make Richmond a more interesting, more vibrant place,” noted Suzanne Haines of the Richmond Arts Coalition. “I am very happy to be part of this program to highlight the value of the arts in our community and to commend these local talents.”
For more information on the awards program, eligibility, submission requirements and categories, and to download a nomination form, please visit www.richmond.ca/culture/artists.htm. You may also call Liesl Jauk, Community Cultural Development Manager at 604-204-8672.
