AWARD PROGRAM OVERVIEW
The Applied Art + Design (AAD) award program celebrates British Columbians who excel in creating functional art. Their creative and innovative work enhances day-to-day life while contributing directly to the cultural and economic fabric of the province.
WHY NOMINATE OR APPLY
The AAD program 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 – Nominations OPEN
- June 30 – Nominations CLOSE
- October – Awardees ANNOUNCED
- November 15 - 22 – Art Exhibition open to the public @ The Roundhouse
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 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.
Award of Distinction: A nominator may request that the nominee be considered for this award designation. The Award of Distinction for lifetime achievement 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.
NOMINEE ELIGIBILITY
An eligible nominee must:
- Practice in the field of applied art + design and produce work that has a practical or functional application to be considered for this award. This includes, but not limited to, furniture, textiles, jewellery, ceramics, weaving, glass, fashion, and industrial design
- Have been a resident of BC for the past three years
An artist or designer may self-nominate (i.e., apply for the award program).
The following are ineligible to receive the Award:
- Posthumous nominations are not eligible
- Past recipients of the Award are not eligible
- Those who work in the fields of architecture, fine art, graphic or interior design, web or mobile design are not eligible
NOMINATOR ELIGIBILITY
Any person, group or organization may submit nominations for the Award with exceptions noted below:
- Current members of the jury panel, or members of the jury panel’s immediate family may not submit a nomination
- BC Achievement board members may not submit a nomination
SELECTION OF AWARDEES
An independent jury panel 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 CRITERIA
Award recipients are selected based on the material submitted by the nominator. The work of the nominee should exemplify and demonstrate excellence based on the following criteria:
- Artistic excellence
- Creativity
- originality
- Innovative approach
- 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 highlight emerging applied artists and designers.
RECOGNITION
AAD award recipients receive $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 artist Robert Davidson, OC, OBC, and a commemorative framed certificate and letter from the Premier recognizing their achievements.
Awardees are 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 for tips on how to submit a compelling nomination.
The nominator must complete the online Nomination form and include the following:
- Nominator (if applicable) name & contact information
- Nominee name & contact information
- Number of years nominee has been practicing their craft
- Field / Medium of artwork
- Category: Emerging or Established
- Nominator Statement
- Nominee’s CV or resumé
- Images of the Nominee’s work & Visual List
- Additional Materials – optional, but strongly recommended
Note: It is recommended that the nominator write out the Nominator Statement and Visual List in a word document first before adding the content to the online nomination form.
Nominator Statement (max. 3000 characters including spaces or approximately 500 words)
- Provide reasons for the submission and a description of why it should be considered for the award
- Consider describing why the nominee became an artist, what their work means to them and others, what kinds of artwork they create and which mediums they practice in
- Explain what inspires them
- Consider addressing what makes the nominee’s artwork unique / interesting
- Describe how it contributes to the cultural economy of BC and why the jury should select this submission above others
Nominee’s CV or Resumé
- Provide information on the nominee’s education, training, significant projects, achievements, and mentorship in their field (PDF preferred)
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
- If the image is taken outdoors, ensure no shadows are blocking the art
- Photos should show the nominee’s signature style even if it is in different mediums
- If possible, include images that focus on the details of the nominee’s work
All images should be:
- High resolution, min. 1MB in size. JPEGs preferred
- Shot on a solid background and with good lighting (if they’re blurry don’t submit them)
- Consistent in terms of style and format
- Recent work (images of older work can be submitted if it shows growth in the nominee’s skill)
Visual List: For each uploaded image, provide a title, date, medium and short description
Note: It is strongly recommended that the nominator submit the maximum number of images permitted (ten).
Additional Materials – optional, but strongly recommended, up to a max. of 5 items
- Jury members appreciate the opportunity to review support letters, testimonials, certificates, videos, or media coverage that tell the story of the nominee’s achievements and their work (each link submitted is considered one additional material)
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 for consideration by the following year's jury panel 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 the nomination was first submitted
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
1. Can a team enter?
Yes, nominations for 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 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.
6. Has the name of the award changed over the years?
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 BC Achievement Applied Art + Design Award.
7. Can information be saved on the online nomination form and completed at a later date?
Yes, it can. If you don't have all the information on hand, click on 'Save and Continue Later' - you will be prompted to enter your email, and will receive a link that you can access to complete your nomination prior to the deadline.
Past Programs
AWARD OF DISTINCTION
The Award of Distinction 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
