Following the success of past awards nights, the North Simcoe Arts and Orillia Museum of Art & History (OMAH) are planning the historic fifth annual Orillia Regional Arts and Heritage Awards (ORAH). On November 27, 2024, Orillia and area will come together to celebrate the best and brightest from the sector, at Creative Nomad Studios.

The awards were established to recognize the valuable contribution that educators, historians, and event organizers and supporters make to the vibrancy of our communities.

Education in the Arts, Culture and Heritage Award recognizes an educator, not necessarily a teacher by profession, whose knowledge and teaching skills inspire others to pursue their interest in the arts and heritage. This year’s nominees are: Sukhi Kaur for HeARTS; Amanda Marino, Christina Bosco, and Patrick Gowan.

Emerging Artist Award recognizes an individual of any age who is in the early years (under five years) of launching a career in the arts. Nominees can be pursuing any genre of art including, but not limited to, visual arts, performance arts, literary arts and many more. This year’s nominees are: Bella Frances, Champagne Top’Her, and Brooke Lawrence.

Heritage: Restoration, Renovation and Publication Award recognizes an individual or group who brought to life regional history through a physical restoration or creation of a permanent public record. This year’s nominees are: Rob McCron for his work with the Orillia Legion and the Fairmile monument; Mariposa Arts Theatre for all of its 50th anniversary, year-long celebrations; and Mary Aileen Reed for all of her work promoting and celebrating Ramara’s heritage and history.

Event in the Arts, Culture and Heritage Award recognizes an individual, organization, or corporation for their part in organizing a single or annual event that showcases the region’s creative talent or cultural heritage. This year’s nominees are: the Women’s Day Art Show Committee for the Women’s Day Art Show; Call 83 Truth and Reconciliation Art Project, Mariposa Arts Theatre and Lake Country Pride for Pride Day in Orillia; and the Lightfoot Days Committee for Lightfoot Days.

Qennefer Browne Achievement Award recognizes an individual or group of individuals who have made an outstanding contribution to the cultural life of their community. It was named in honour of Qennefer Browne, who gave much of herself to support both arts and heritage organizations within the region. This year’s nominees are: the Orillia Silver Band, Molly Farquharson, Mark Fletcher, and Mary Lou Meiers.

This year’s winners will be announced and celebrated on Nov. 27 at the Orillia Regional Arts and Heritage Awards Night, at Creative Nomad Studios. This wonderful community celebration will start at 6 p.m. with appetizers, music, mingling, and a cash bar. The awards ceremony, featuring video introductions of all of our nominees, will start at 7 p.m.

Everyone is invited, no tickets or admission fees. The awards are proudly sponsored by eCapital.

Come join us and celebrate this vibrant sector in our region!

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Together, OMAH and North Simcoe Arts serve the communities of Rama, Ramara, Oro-Medonte, Severn, and the City of Orillia. We are committed to recognizing the valuable contribution artists, historians, educators, event organizers and supporters make to the vibrancy of these communities and their citizens.