Recognizing contributions to the local arts scene
By Submitted Article on May 8, 2020.
Submitted by the Allied Arts Council
Every September at the Mayor’s Luncheon for Business and the Arts, the Allied Arts Council of Lethbridge acknowledges the incredible contributions made by individuals, businesses and service organizations to the vibrancy of the arts of our city through several awards. These awards – the Aspiring Artist, Young Artist, Allied Arts Council Awards of Excellence and Joan Waterfield Memorial Award – have recognized the contributions of sixty-seven arts champions over the past 14 years. The AAC is asking the community to submit award nominations by June 1 for consideration >of the selection committee. >
The Joan >Waterfield Memorial Award, created in 2005, recognizes individuals who have made a substantial contribution to our community in the area of the arts. >Nominees have demonstrated an extraordinary contribution over >their lifetimes. >Individuals honoured have made substantial contributions to the life of our arts community in Lethbridge and personify the values expressed in the philosophy and vision of the Allied Arts Council of Lethbridge: leadership in advancing and enhancing the arts. These individuals have provided mentorship and leadership, and have created opportunities for others to participate in and engage with the arts. >Past recipients include Don Robb, Kate Connolly, Margaret (Peggy Mezei) and Van Christou, among others. >
The >Allied Arts Council Awards of Excellence (AACE) were created to recognize individuals, organizations and businesses who have made outstanding philanthropic contributions to arts organizations or the community through arts. There are three categories in the AACE award: Individual, Service Organization and Business. The AACE recipients have contributed time, money or resources to arts organizations or have created opportunities for the community to experience the arts, allowing the arts community to grow and strengthen over time.
In 2015, >the Allied Arts Council introduced the Young Artist Award, recognizing young artists who are in the final stages of their training, who have made Lethbridge home and working to establish a practice in our community. This award was created as part of the legacy of Lethbridge hosting the Lieutenant Governor of Alberta Distinguished Artist Awards. The Allied Arts Council Young Artist award comes with a $1,000 prize to contribute to the artist’s practice. >
In 2019, >the Allied Arts Council introduced their newest award, the Aspiring Artist Award, recognizing students in the grades 9 through 12 that acknowledges the student’s level of achievement measured against peers at a similar stage of development. The award has a value of $1,000 and is intended to support and encourage artistic work. >
Although we are not aware of what our future holds during COVID-19, the Allied Arts Council would still like to encourage the community to submit nominations, recognizing the significant contributions of arts champions. We are evaluating how we might be able to present the awards in the fall and will communicate to the community the changes in the delivery of the event. > >
Nominations are being accepted now until June 1. Applications can be found on the Allied Arts Council website at >https://artslethbridge.org/awards-scholarships/. A full list of previous award recipients can also be found on the AAC website. >We look forward to reviewing the community’s nominations!
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