Nominations now open for Mayor's Celebration

Art and culture activities help bring communities to life, said the city's new mayor, Brian Bigger.

"They create a dynamic energy that defines a community's uniqueness," said Bigger. "Creativity is woven through many aspects of our city including the visual arts, music, performing arts, media arts and literary arts. I'm honoured to be a part of this exciting celebration."

Bigger joined Vicki Gilhula, secretary of Sudbury Arts Council, and Regroupment des organismes culturels de Sudbury (ROCS) member Martin Lajeunesse in announcing plans for the 2015 Mayor's Celebration of the Awards.

Bigger will be presenting bursaries to the recipients at the second annual Mayor's Celebration of the Arts. Organized by the Sudbury Arts Council with the help of the ROCS, the event is set to take place May 21 at the Vale Cavern at Science North.

The awards aim to honour artists and heighten the profile of the arts in the community, while raising money for artist bursaries.

Nominations close Feb. 28.

Three awards, totalling $7,500 in bursaries, will be presented this year.

The Award for Exceptional Achievement in the Arts, which comes with a $3,500 bursary, will be presented to a professional artist for his or her exceptional contribution to the arts during its career spanning more than 20 years through an extensive body of works in one or several disciplines, as well as through her/his contribution over time to the development and betterment of the Greater Sudbury arts community.

The Award for Outstanding Mid-Career Artist and a $2,500 bursary will be presented to a mid-career artist with 10 to 20 years of experience, for his or her sustained efforts to pursue a professional career in the arts and to produce new works, while contributing to the development and betterment of the Greater Sudbury arts community.

The Award for Outstanding Emerging Artist, a cash prize of $1,500, will be presented to a professional artist with 10 years or less of professional artistic practice for the excellence and creativity of her or his artworks and performances.

Nomination details and forms are available at the Sudbury Arts Council's website sudburyartscouncil.org.

An independent jury of peers will determine a shortlist of finalists and winners.

The Mayor's Celebration of the Arts will begin at 7 p.m. on May 21 at Science North. Tickets are $50 and are available at the Théâtre du Nouvel-Ontario box office or website at letno.ca/billetterie/ or by calling 705-525-5606 ext 4.