The Mayor’s Awards for the Arts committee is pleased to announce the finalists in each category for the 2018 awards.  The Mayor’s Awards for the Arts recognize and celebrate artists and arts supporters in Kamloops and the Thompson-Nicola Regional District.

For 2018, awards will be given for each of the following categories: Business in Support of the Arts, Emerging Artist, and Artist of the Year: Visual Arts.

Business in Support of the Arts recognizes outstanding business leaders and/or businesses/corporations that have made a significant contribution supporting local arts and culture through donations, sponsorships, volunteer services, or the support of an artist.  The finalists in this category are: 
Kamloops This Week, CFJC TV Midday Show, and Royal Bank of Canada.

Emerging Artist recognizes an emerging Kamloops artist/musician/performer (ages 18 to 35) working in the visual and/or performing arts for their current accomplishments and future potential.  The finalists in this category are:
Zach Abney, Andrew Cooper, and JP Lancaster. Other nominees in the category were Christine Leroux, and Eric Prytula.

Artist of the Year: Visual Arts, recognizes an outstanding Kamloops visual artist.  The finalists in this category are:
Kristina Benson, David Langevin, and Donald Lawrence. Other nominees in the category were Carolin Slade, Nathan Froese, and Tim Francis.

The Mayor’s Awards for the Arts will be presented at the 11th annual Mayor’s Gala for the Arts on January 20, 2018.  The event is presented by the City of KamloopsKamloops Art GalleryKamloops Symphony, and Western Canada Theatre.  Tickets for the gala dinner are $150, and can be purchased from Kamloops Live! Box Office, 250-374-5483, or www.kamloopslive.ca.