The Sam Carter Award in Applied Art + Design celebrates the fusion of creativity and functionality, honouring artists whose work is both visually striking and practical. The work of these designers creates greater appreciation for functional art, elevates daily life, and helps shape the province’s cultural and economic landscapes.
The award program provides a platform for artists to reflect on their work, connect with new audiences, and engage with collaborators and patrons who value the synergy of art and utility. Named in memory of its founder, Sam Carter, the award honours his legacy while highlighting the importance of applied art and design in BC’s creative economy.
“The 2025 recipients of the Sam Carter Award in Applied Art + Design exemplify a visionary approach to design that unites beauty, utility, and impact. Their work honours the legacy of this award by pushing boundaries and enriching our cultural landscape through innovation.”
– Walter Pela, Chair, BC Achievement Foundation
AWARD PROGRAM OVERVIEW
Capturing the hearts and creative minds of BC’s design community for over two decades, the Sam Carter Award in Applied Art + Design (AAD) program celebrates functional art. Named in honour of its founder who passed away in late 2023, the Sam Carter Award highlights the importance of BC’s thriving creative economy. The AAD award program recognizes excellence amongst artists who, through their creativity, contribute to the cultural economy of the province. Artists and designers whose work has a practical or functional application may be considered for this award.
WHY NOMINATE / APPLY
The AAD program advances the collective conversation around functional art and design and 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 – 2026 Award Program
DATES TO REMEMBER – 2027 Award Program
CHECKLIST – BEFORE YOU START
*If submitting a written statement presents a barrier, please contact BC Achievement staff for assistance.
CATEGORIES
The nominator must select the category that best describes the artist (i.e., the nominee):
Emerging artists have developed foundational techniques through education, mentorship and/or apprenticeship , and have begun to establish an independent artistic practice. They have created and publicly presented a body of independent work and are ready for the next step in their professional development.
Established artists demonstrate advanced technical skill and a sustained commitment to their artistic practice. They are recognized within their community for their artistic contributions and leadership. Their work includes a substantial body of publicly presented, independent work, and they actively support the growth of others by serving as mentors within their artistic community.
Award of Distinction: A nominator may request that the Established Artist nominee be considered for this award designation. The Award of Distinction is presented to an Established Artist in recognition of extraordinary and sustained accomplishment in applied art and design in BC. It is also a commemorative reflection on how these artistic leaders contribute to their communities, how they mentor the next generation, and how they transform reality. They ensure that BC is a place filled with astonishing craft, with unique and immensely expressive power, and continuous wonder.
Note: Requesting consideration for the Award of Distinction does not preclude the nominee from also being considered within the Established Artist category.
Visit the Applied Art + Design Award webpage to learn more about past Award of Distinction recipients.
NOMINATOR ELIGIBILITY
Any person, group or organization may submit nominations for the award with exceptions noted below:
NOMINEE ELIGIBILITY
An eligible nominee must:
An artist may self-nominate (i.e., apply for the award program).
The following are ineligible to receive the award:
*Visit BC Achievement’s Awardees webpage to see if your nominee is a past recipient of the award.
HOW AWARDEES ARE SELECTED & RECOGNIZED
An independent jury reviews the nominations and selects the recipients. The jury’s decisions are final. Only selected nominees are contacted, and nominators are informed of the outcome of their submission.
Awardees receive a cash prize of $5,000 and are featured in professionally produced recognition film by BC Achievement. Each awardee is also presented with a medallion and lapel pin designed by renowned artist Robert Davidson, OC, OBC, along with a commemorative framed certificate and letter from the Premier. Recipients are granted use of the Applied Art + Design Award seal to signify their creative excellence and are celebrated at an exhibition and presentation ceremony showcasing their work.
REVIEW THE AAD NOMINATION GUIDE FOR TIPS ON SUBMITTING A STRONG NOMINATION
To submit a complete nomination, you must provide:
Tip: If you need more time, use ‘Save and Continue Later’ at the bottom of the online form—you’ll receive a link to complete your nomination before the deadline.
EVALUATION CRITERIA
Award recipients are selected based on the following four criteria:
Up to four artists will be awarded including the Emerging Artist.
Judson Beaumont Emerging Artist – This 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.
IMPORTANT TIPS FOR SUBMITTING IMAGES
NOMINATOR STATEMENT (MAX 3000 CHARACTERS INCLUDING SPACES | ~500 WORDS):
Use the full word count for the nominator statement to provide a thorough, well-rounded, and engaging description of the nominee’s achievements.
For Emerging Artists – provide a statement that describes how receiving the award would help to advance their career trajectory and support them in achieving the next level of artistic development (max. 500 characters incl. spaces | ~80 words).
NOMINEE’S CV OR RESUMÉ
IMAGES & DESCRIPTION
Note: Please include the image number in the name of the image uploaded. For example:
ADDITIONAL MATERIALS (OPTIONAL BUT RECOMMENDED):
Note: The nominator may upload one word or PDF document with up to five links in the ‘Additional Materials’ section.
*Each web link counts as one Additional Material.
UPDATING A PREVIOUS NOMINATION
Nominations are valid for three years. To update:
Need help? We can send you your previous submission—email rup@bcachievement.com.
All nominations are confidential. Nominators will be notified by email once the selection process is complete. Nominations remain active for three years and are reconsidered in subsequent selection cycles. We encourage nominators to share updates, as the jury values receiving current information that reflects the nominee’s ongoing contributions and impact.
THANK YOU!
1. Can information be saved on the nomination form and completed at a later date?
Yes. If you don’t have all the information on hand, click on the ‘Save and Continue Later’ button at the bottom of the online nomination form – you will be prompted to enter your email and will receive a link that you can access and complete your nomination prior to the deadline.
2. Can a team enter?
Yes, nominations for teams with a maximum of three applied artists and designers are accepted.
3. 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.
4. 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.
5. Should a previously submitted nomination be updated?
Yes, nominees should provide updated visuals and information reflecting their recent work annually.
6. When are awardees notified and where are the names of the awardees published?
Awardees are announced in October. Their names are published on BC Achievement’s website and social media.
7. Has the name of the award changed over the years?
The BC Creative Achievement Awards for Applied Art and Design became the Carter Wosk Award in Applied Art + Design in 2017 and the BC Achievement Applied Art + Design Award in 2023. It was renamed the Sam Carter Award in Applied Art + Design in 2024 honouring Sam Carter’s transformative contributions to applied art and design in British Columbia.
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.
Supporting the Applied Art + Design Award program helps champion innovation, creativity, and excellence in BC’s vibrant design community, while recognizing artists whose work enhances everyday life and strengthens our cultural and creative economy.
