The York Region Arts Council announced today the launch of the 2022 YR Arts Awards.
“The YR Arts Awards are an annual celebration of the imagination in all its many forms and are meant to showcase a true reflection of the creative community of York Region with works by YRAC Members voted by YRAC Members,” said Sergei Petrov, Executive Director of YRAC.
“We’re truly excited to be launching the YR Arts Awards. Over the past couple of years, artists have not had the opportunity to showcase their work. The YR Arts Awards provides them with the chance to share their works, show folks what they’ve been doing and, if the work resonates with the audience, take home a $1000 prize.”
The 2022 YR Arts Awards feature five categories and a Members’ Choice Award – each with a $1000 cash prize.
Community Engagement Award
This award recognizes art as an active connector within the community. How did the work engage the community? What part of our community did it serve and how?
Innovator Award
This award recognizes art as a way to introduce new ideas and perspectives. How was the project/work innovative? Did it introduce new ideas, methods, or perspectives?
Resiliency Award
This award recognizes art as a tool to build, develop and fuel resilience. How did the work help with recovery; how did it help overcome adversity?
Sustainability Award
This award recognizes art as a way to create sustainability. How did the work/project improve the quality of life, protect the ecosystem or preserve natural resources for future generations?
Emergence Award
This award recognizes art as a catalyst to increase awareness and elevate the profile of a subject or person. How did the work/project propel the artist forward, taking the artist / work to a new level, introducing to new audiences or experiences. Are you an emerging artist or a seasoned artist who reached a new level of impact?
Members’ Choice Award
The submission that receives the most votes overall as the favourite art submission.
Submissions open today. For full awards details and to submit work, please click here.
The closing date for submissions is March 4.
Five finalists in each category will be announced March 9 and general voting by YRAC members will take place between March 10 and April 5. Winners will be announced at the YR Arts Awards ceremony, on ZOOM, April 14.
Any artist may become a YRAC Creator member simply by purchasing a Creator membership ($39/year). A Friend of YRAC membership allows the member to vote during the Awards, in addition to other benefits. For membership information, or to become a Creator/Friend member, please click here.
Main photo: Detail from the painting ‘Northern Birch’ by Wayne Doyle, acrylic on panel.
