AWARD PROGRAM OVERVIEW
The Applied Art + Design (AAD) Award program celebrates British Columbians whose creative, innovative work contributes directly to the cultural and economic fabric of the province and enhances day-to-day life for individuals.
WHY NOMINATE OR APPLY
The AAD Award advances the collective conversation around functional art and design. Applying for an award serves as a platform to communicate an artist’s work, vision and creativity. The process invites an opportunity for critical artistic reflection and exposes artists and designers to a wider audience.
DATES TO REMEMBER
- June 1, 2023 – Nominations OPEN
- June 30, 2023 – Nominations CLOSE
- October 2023 – Awardees ANNOUNCED
- November 15-22, 2023 - Art Exhibition & Presentation Ceremony
Nominations must be submitted online by JUNE 30, 2023 (all materials must be received by 11:59 pm).
CATEGORIES
Artists have the option to self-identify in one of two submission categories:
Emerging: Artists have developed basic techniques through education and/or apprenticeship; and are in the early stages of launching a professional career. They have created and publicly presented a body of independent work and are ready for the next step in their artistic development.
Established: Artists have demonstrated advanced techniques; shown a commitment to their art practice; and are recognized in their community as artists. They have publicly presented a significant body of independent work and serve as mentors in their respective artistic community.
WHAT IS CONSIDERED APPLIED ART + DESIGN
Artists and designers whose work has a practical or functional application can be considered for this award. This includes, but not limited to, furniture, textiles, jewellery, ceramics, weaving, glass, fashion, and industrial design.
WHO CAN NOMINATE / APPLY
Self-nominations are accepted and encouraged. Any person, group or organization may submit nominations for the award program with exceptions noted below:
- Current members of the selection committee, or members of the selection committee’s immediate family may not submit a nomination
- BC Achievement board members may not submit a nomination
ELIGIBILITY
- The nominee must have lived in BC for at least three years
- Posthumous nominations are not eligible
- Past recipients of the award are not eligible
Note: Those who work in the fields of architecture, fine art, graphic or interior design, web or mobile design are not eligible to receive the award.
SELECTION OF AWARDEES
An independent jury reviews the nominations and selects the awardees. The decision of the jury is final. Nominees are notified only if selected for an award. Nominators are informed as to whether or not they have been successful with their application.
Selection of Awardees is based on the nomination package submitted and the criteria of creativity, originality, innovative approach and aesthetics. Up to three artists will be awarded including the emerging artist.
Judson Beaumont Emerging Artist – the Judson Beaumont Emerging Artist designation was established in 2021. Named in honour of the late Judson Beaumont (1959- 2020), this recognition aims to embody Judson’s enthusiasm, kindness and generosity, exemplify the meaning of excellence and inspire other applied artists and designers.
RECOGNITION
AAD recipients receive a prize of $2,500 each and are featured in a Recognition film produced by BC Achievement. In addition, they receive a medallion and pin designed by renowned First Nations artist Robert Davidson, OC, OBC, and a commemorative framed certificate and letter from the Premier recognizing their achievements.
Awardees are also granted use of the Applied Art + Design Award seal to signify their creative excellence.
An art exhibition and presentation ceremony will be held to showcase the awardees’ accomplishments.
HOW TO NOMINATE / APPLY
Download the 2023 Nomination Guide (coming soon) for tips on how to submit a compelling nomination.
The nominator must complete the online Nomination form and include the following:
- Artist Statement (max 3,000 characters incl. spaces or approx. 500 words) - the story of the nominee and their work
- Nominee CV or resumé
- Ten images of the nominee’s work & Visual List
- Recent Challenges - optional (max 2,000 characters incl. spaces or approx. 350 words)
- Up to 5 Additional Materials - optional (support letters, testimonials, certificates, links to video or media coverage *each link is considered one additional material)
Note: It is recommended that the artist or nominator write out the Artist Statement and Recent Challenges in a word document first before adding the content to the online nomination form.
IMAGES & VISUAL LIST
- High quality photos make a difference to the jury
- Submitted images should show off the nominee’s work in the best light possible
- It is strongly recommended that the nominator submit the maximum number of images permitted (ten)
All images should:
- Be high resolution (min 1MB) in JPEG format (if they’re blurry don’t submit them)
- Shot on a solid background and with good lighting; if the image is taken outdoors, ensure no shadows are blocking the art
- Show the nominee’s signature style even if it is in different mediums
- Be consistent in terms of style and format
- Be of recent work, however, images of older work can be submitted if it shows growth in the nominee’s skill
Nominators are encouraged to include images that focus on the details of the nominee’s work.
Please name images using this format: last name, first initial, image number
(e.g., HuntJ01, HuntJ02 etc.)
Visual List - for each image, please include the number, title, year it was completed, medium and a short description
UPDATING A NOMINATION
- Nominations are valid for three years including the first year of nomination and two subsequent years
- Nominators are strongly encouraged to update their nomination package for consideration by the following year's selection committee if their nominee was not recognized in the previous year’s Awardee cohort
- To update your nomination, please complete the online nomination form, and select “this is an update to a previous submission” + the year
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
1. Can a team enter?
Yes, nomination packages from teams with a maximum of three applied artists and designers are accepted.
2. What is the definition of “recent work?”
The independent jury prefers to view work completed in the last two to three years – they are seeking current work, rather than historical work where possible.
3. Are part-time artists eligible?
Yes, if the artist is committed to their practice; has produced a significant body of work; and is recognized by their community and peers as an artist.
4. Should a previously submitted nomination package be updated?
Yes, nominees should provide updated visuals and information reflecting their recent work annually.
5. When are awardees notified and where are the names of the awardees published?
Awardees are notified in October. Their names are published on BC Achievement’s website and social media channels.
6. Has the name of the award changed over the years?
Yes, in 2017 the name was changed from BC Creative Achievement Awards for Applied Art and Design to the Carter Wosk Award in Applied Art + Design. In 2023, it was updated to the Applied Art + Design Award.
7. Can information be saved on the online nomination form and completed at a later date?
Yes, it can.
Past Programs
AWARD OF DISTINCTION
The award is presented to an established artist in recognition of extraordinary and sustained accomplishment in applied art + design. Recipients exemplify committed vision, innovative enterprise, passionate talent, and they are an inspiration to their community and province. Past recipients:
- 2022 Robert Anderson, Stringed Musical Instruments
- 2021 Ann McLaren, Craniofacial Prosthetics
- 2020 Nancy Bryant, Costume Design
- 2019 Gordon Hutchens, Ceramics
- 2018 Bill Pechet, Public Art Design
- 2017 Sam Carter, Exhibition Design
- 2016 Mustang Survival, Industrial Design
- 2015 Arc’teryx, Product Design
- 2014 Judson Beaumont, Furniture Design
- 2013 Wayne Ngan, Ceramics
- 2012 Catherine Regehr, Fashion & Home Design
- 2011 Phil Nuytten, Innovator/Design
- 2010 Doug Simpson, Folding Kayaks
- 2009 Karl Stittgen, Jewellery
- 2008 John Fluevog, Shoe Design
- 2007 Toni Cavelti, Jewellery & Joanna Staniszkis, Textile & Clothing
- 2006 Neils Bendtsen, Furniture Design & Martha Sturdy, Design
