The York Regional Arts Council has announced the finalists for the inaugural YR Arts Awards have been selected and voting is now open to all YRAC members for all award categories. There is a cash prize of $1000 for the winner of each category.
“We’re truly excited by the quantity and quality of the submissions for our first awards,” said Monica del Rio Pain, program curator for the York Region Arts Council. “We know York Region has more than its fair share of talented artists – across all artistic genres – and we’re inspired by the works that have been submitted.”
YRAC Creative members submitted a wide variety of works, from paintings and photography to wearable fabric art and music videos. With five categories to choose from – Community Engagement, Emergence, Innovator, Resiliency and Sustainability – YRAC Creative members impressed the Finalist Selection committee with their innovative and unique offerings.
“I think the single most impressive aspect of these awards is the dedication of the artists who submitted works,” del Rio Pain said. “For the past couple of years, they’ve been working in virtual isolation yet they have the passion and fortitude to continue to flex their creative muscles. It really is quite an accomplishment, not only for the finalists but for each and every artist who submitted work.”
The YR Arts Awards are unique in the market as only YRAC members may vote on works created by YRAC Creative members. To become a YRAC member, please visit https://www.yorkregionartscouncil.com/membership. To see the finalists and cast your vote, please visit https://www.yorkregionartscouncil.com/yourartawards.
Voting for the YR Arts Awards will be open until April 8. Winners will be announced at the YR Arts Awards on April 14, from 4 to 5 p.m. via Zoom. To register to attend the awards, please click here
Main image: A screen capture of the video What the World Needs Now by Glenn Marais.
Top row, from left: Fire by Yafang Shi; wooden bowl by George Burt; outdoor play by Shadowpath Theatre; The Social Network by Alysha Rocca.
Bottom row, from left: Sophia Naidoo; Aali Badihi; Metamorphosis by Selina Yung; Monisha Jani.
