Month: June 2023

The Polygon Award in First Nations Art and the Applied Art + Design Award remain open for artist submissions. Time is running out, as June 30 marks the final day for online nominations. We encourage you to submit your nominations this week and be part of this opportunity to celebrate and honour exceptional artists and designers. 

Recognizing First Nations Art 

The Polygon Award in First Nations Art serves as a platform to acknowledge and celebrate the extraordinary achievements of artists from BC’s First Nations communities. This annual award recognizes exceptional talent, creativity, and a deep connection to cultural heritage. By participating in the nomination process, you have the power to uplift and support First Nations artists, showcasing their incredible contributions. 

Applauding Applied Art + Design 

The Applied Art + Design Award aims to recognize the fusion of artistic expression and functionality. This award highlights the work of talented artists and designers across various mediums, including ceramics, jewellery, furniture, textiles, and digital design. Nominating an artist or designer in this category is an opportunity to appreciate their ability to blend aesthetics, innovation, and practicality in their creations. By acknowledging their contributions, we encourage the pursuit of excellence in applied art and design. 

#NominatenowBC

With the nomination deadline just a few days away, it’s time get your submissions in! Your nominations carry immense weight, as they provide artists and designers with well-deserved recognition and exposure. Submissions started before midnight on June 30 will be granted an extension of one week to complete the nomination. So, hurry!

Reach out to fellow art lovers, share the news on social media, and encourage everyone to submit their nominations this week.  

Together, we can honour the remarkable contributions of First Nations artists and Applied Art + Design creators! Let’s make a difference by recognizing and uplifting the artistic endeavours that enrich our cultural landscape and in doing so, tell the story of BC. #nominatenowbc at www.bcachievement.com 

BC Achievement: Elevate Excellence. Share Success. Inspire Change.

Reconciliation in BC is an opportunity for the righting of relationships between settlers and the First Nations peoples who have occupied these lands since time immemorial. Embedded in our family histories, legends, and traditions we have an historical record of time and place that begins with the creation of the earth and is passed down through generations. We have complex systems of government; ecological governance systems that aim to plan for the next seven generations. 

When looking at the intentional and strategic assimilation plan historically employed by the Canadian Government, I am left with questions. Laws that ban the events where we discuss complex territorial self-governance, the burning of cultural regalia that was hundreds of years old, sterilizing generations of women, taking our children, and the ongoing impact of intergenerational abuse and trauma experienced by so many, are some of the wrongs which demand answers. 

Though there have been changes and shifts over the last three generations, there remains much work to do to repair current oppressive relationships that still aim to assimilate First Nations people into mainstream society. Systems that are designed to keep the majority of First Nations people dependent on government support need to be dismantled and redesigned to support the empowerment and prosperity of our people. 

Daily I am still subjected to racial slurs, racially rooted misconceptions of what it means to be First Nations, and so I question how the mindsets of individuals have changed when we are still being exposed to the well-established racism against First Nations people in this province. 

Truth acceptance needs to happen before reconciliation can happen. Settlers need to first recognize how they participate in perpetuating racism, change their mindset and belief systems, and then change their behaviour and language. Reconciliation demands the understanding that there are different ontologies and those committed to righting the relationships must have open minds to the idea that there are different cultures and worldviews that people govern and live by. 

For change to happen some say it is the responsibility of the education system, some say it is an organization’s responsibility and some say the individual home is where we can learn. Organizations are responsible for educating their employees, individuals are responsible for educating themselves – both need to learn and adapt their practices on how to work from an Indigenous trauma-informed lens. 

There is still much work to be done.  

To learn more and take action on reconciliation, visit Animikii, a leader in Indigenous entrepreneurship and innovation. 

By Angela Marston, Program Director, Indigenous Business Award 

BC Achievement: Elevate Excellence. Share Success. Inspire Change.

For two decades, the British Columbia Achievement Foundation has celebrated the spirit of excellence in our province, honouring outstanding citizens from across British Columbia. With relationships spanning community leaders, Indigenous businesses, First Nations artists, applied artists, designers, entrepreneurs, and supporting organizations, BC Achievement showcases the best of our province. These individuals contribute to stronger communities through their art practices, business practices, reconciliation efforts and community advocacy. As we commemorate our 20th anniversary, we are privileged to shine a light on our diverse and talented alumni who lead the way. 

Over the years, the foundation has uplifted and shared the stories of over 1,000 alumni who have paved the way forward through their achievements. These achievements embody strength, courage, and skill, inspiring others to follow suit and fostering stronger and more engaged communities. 

Recently, I had the honour of serving as the Director of Ceremonies at the 20th annual Community Award Presentation Ceremony at Government House. In the presence of the Honourable Janet Austin, Lieutenant Governor of British Columbia, we celebrated the exceptional 2023 Community Program awardees. Each of these individuals serves as an example of leadership, dedication, and selflessness, forming a constellation of exceptional talents united in brilliance. This year’s ceremony showcased the remarkable contributions of individuals from across our province, aligning with the mission of the BC Achievement Foundation to elevate excellence and inspire achievement among all British Columbians. 

At the ceremony, I was pleased to announce a new category of the Community Award program: The Emerging Leader Award designation, set to launch in 2024. Recognizing the importance of youth achievements in shaping our future, we must support and encourage them every step of the way. The Emerging Leader Award will provide a platform for the next generation of leaders to showcase their skills, share their stories, and inspire change. We are excited to embark on this new initiative. 

Join the movement by nominating worthy candidates, celebrating our outstanding awardees, and in doing so, build a better British Columbia. Together we can strengthen our commitment to elevating stories of excellence and inspiring change by supporting all five of BC Achievement’s programs. 

By sharing the stories of inspiring British Columbians, BC Achievement illuminates transformative work, enabling others to follow their examples and create meaningful change in their communities. Here’s to the future! 

By Walter Pela, BC Achievement Board Chair 

BC Achievement: Elevate Excellence. Share Success. Inspire Change.

BC Achievement’s art award programs allow incredible people to be recognized and elevated by their peers and communities. It is a celebration of the province’s growing and critical creative economy. Nominate now and help shine the light on excellence in BC! 

Beginning June 1 through June 30, nominations for artists are being accepted for the First Nations Art and the Applied Art + Design programs.  

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. Self-nominations are accepted and encouraged. Recipients receive a cash prize, they participate in an exhibition showcasing their art, a film is produced outlining their artistic journey and their story is celebrated through province-wide recognition. There are so many reasons to nominate! 

The Polygon Award in First Nations Art (FNA), now in its 17^th year, recognizes BC First Nations artists for excellence in traditional, contemporary or media art including those who have demonstrated a commitment to their art practice; have accumulated a body of work; and who are recognized in their communities as artists. Up to four artists will be selected to receive the award. 

Nominations are invited from throughout the province from BC First Nations artists who practice traditional or contemporary visual art in fields such as, but not limited to, carving, photography, beading, weaving, jewellery, painting, masks, sculpture, stonework, printmaking, basketry, textiles, and media art. 

“Anytime you can do artwork and put it out there and make the Indigenous presence in these areas known, that could inspire a young Indigenous person to pursue their traditional art and culture.” 

Qwul’thilum Dylan Thomas, 2022 FNA Award Recipient 

The second art program is the Applied Art + Design (AAD) Award which, since 2004, has been celebrating British Columbians who excel in creating functional art. The program recognizes artists who work in mediums such as furniture, textiles, jewellery, ceramics, weaving, glass, fashion, to industrial design. Up to four artists will be selected to receive the award. 

“It is important to draw attention to the work of craftspeople in applied arts and design by honouring them with these kinds of awards for excellence in their field. It is a public endorsement and reminder of the value of handcrafting which celebrates individual achievement over mass manufacturing which dehumanizes it.” 

Robert Anderson, 2022 AAD Award of Distinction Recipient 

Nominations for this year’s award will be accepted through BCAF’s website from June 1-30. Recipients will be announced in October, with an exhibit of their selected works taking place November 15 – 22 at the Roundhouse Community Arts and Recreation Centre in downtown Vancouver. 

For more information about the BC Achievement Foundation and  its award programs, visit www.bcachievement.com.  

#nominatenowbc

BC Achievement: Elevate Excellence. Share Success. Inspire Change.