Nominations are now open for the 26th Annual Mississauga Arts Awards (MARTYS), the most comprehensive City arts awards program in Canada.
 
“The highlight of the arts year in Mississauga, is the celebration of creative excellence across all art forms at the annual Mississauga Arts Awards, when the top performances of the year are recognized and rewarded at a red carpet gala event, AKA The MARTYs!” says Mike Douglas, Executive Director of the Mississauga Arts Council (MAC).

Last year, the Mississauga Arts Awards (The MARTYS) celebrated its 25th anniversary with a star-studded crowd with nominees and winners who have reached local, national and international success. Now, The MARTYS is back on Thursday, May 21, 2020, to celebrate excellence in Mississauga arts once more.
 
Anyone can nominate a Mississauga artist, performance or exhibition that moved them in any of the nine arts categories. There are also four prestigious community arts categories presented by dignitaries including Mayor Crombie for Lifetime Achievement and former mayor Hazel McCallion for Volunteer of the Year.
 
“It's easy to nominate an artist, just visit the MARTYS nomination page online, check out the sample submission form and requirements for the category you want to nominate. Once you're ready with the required submission materials, you can fill out the online form in a few minutes,” says Sherri Murray, Communications Producer at MAC, who will be managing nominations.
 
Ensure that Mississauga’s finest are recognized by nominating a deserving artist for the MARTY Awards. Guidelines, criteria and nomination forms can be found online at https://www.mississaugaartscouncil.com/the-martys-2-2/nominate-2/.
 
Mississauga artists, art lovers and supporters; it’s your turn to make a difference and put a nomination together for your favorite artist or creative experience of the year. The arts nominations are reviewed and judged by a jury of professionals, experienced in that category.
 
The winners of the Patron of the Arts, Volunteer of the Year and Lifetime Achievement categories are decided by the diverse 16-member MAC Board of Directors. The Festival of the Year category is juried by the Mississauga News.
 
This is a night from which lifelong memories are made. Nominations for all MARTY Awards and Certificates of Excellence are now open and you can nominate outstanding creative performers in the following categories:
 
Emerging and Established Categories:
Fashion - Emerging and Established
Music: Group - Emerging and Established
Music: Solo Instrumental - Emerging and Established
Music: Solo Vocalist - Emerging and Established
Visual Arts - Emerging and Established
Digital Arts - Emerging and Established
Literary Arts - Emerging and Established
Theatre Arts - Emerging and Established
Dance - Emerging and Established
 
Creative Community Awards:
Lifetime Achievement
Hazel McCallion Volunteer of the Year
Laurie Pallett Patron of the Arts
Festival of the Year
 
Which talented and creative spirits will be on stage to receive a coveted MARTY Award this May? Both emerging and established artists contribute creativity, ideas and innovation to Mississauga. The Mississauga Arts Council urges the city’s creative community to thoughtfully consider who deserves to be nominated and recognized for their achievements. Nomination submissions close on Monday, April 6, 2020.

For more information, visit www.mississaugaartscouncil.com/the-martys