Awards

Performing Artist of the Year: Brendan McLeod

This year’s recipient was singled out not only for the quality of the work, but for what it is like to work with them on tour. The nominations described an artist who is reliable, professional and responsive; someone who communicates clearly, turns things around quickly, understands what presenters need, and makes the entire booking and touring process feel smooth and straightforward.

That kind of professionalism can be easy to overlook because, when it is done well, everything simply works. With years of experience as both a solo performer and a collaborator, this work strengthens our touring ecology.

Artist Representative (Agent/Manager) of the Year: Marilyn Gilbert Artists Management (MGAM)

Accepting the award: Luisa Maria Gonzalez Ramirez

The winner is a boutique talent agency that specializes in booking, marketing, and managing Canadian and international musicians, with a focus on global music, jazz, fusion, and contemporary classical sounds.
Founded in 1978 by an accomplished, elite-level classical violinist who performed at Carnegie Hall. Her firsthand experience navigating the realities of touring as a classical musician heavily informed how she structured the agency when she launched.

They represent a diverse roster of musicians whose work fosters community and transcends traditional concert spaces.

Festival of the Year: Vancouver Folk Music Festival

Accepting the award: Xin Xuan Song

This year’s recipient was described simply as “world-class on every level.” Another nominator highlighted exceptional artists from around the globe, a high-quality, diverse experience, thoughtful and inclusive ticket pricing, strong wheelchair accessibility, and festival grounds that feel clean, safe, welcoming, and cared for.

That combination matters. Artistic excellence is only part of a great festival. The experience of arriving, belonging and being able to participate is part of the art of presenting too.

Presenter of the Year – Presenters with paid personnel: Andrew Stauffer, Rotary Centre for the Arts

Accepting the award: Colleen Fitzpatrick

This year’s recipient has been recognized for doing all of that with ambition and generosity. Nominators described bold, culturally diverse programming; a real commitment to contemporary dance; strong community outreach through workshops and artist engagement; and an instinct for collaboration with other presenters and arts organizations.

They also described someone who steps up for the wider touring network – developing partnerships, helping secure touring opportunities, pursuing new funding, and building connections that extend well beyond their own venue. They exemplify thoughtful, curious and collaborative presenting, rooted in both artistic excellence and community impact.

Presenter of the Year – Volunteer-run: Creston Concert Society

Accepting the award: Leslie Kelner and Pat Tomasic

This year’s recipient was praised for doing a great deal with a small team: strong programming, solid operations, and, importantly, an ongoing interest in learning and growing.

Those few words capture something essential about volunteer presenting. Excellence is not only about scale. It is about consistency, curiosity, care, and the determination to keep bringing artists and audiences together year after year.

Touring Award of Excellence: Jacqueline (Jacquie) Dawson

Accepting the award: Margot Holmes

The winner of this award was deeply woven into the performing arts community. The words that come to mind when I think about this person and the impact they had are friendship, generosity, connection and the sheer number of lives touched over a long career in the arts.

Tonight, this award carries particular meaning because we are honouring someone we recently lost. Her presence in this community and at Pacific Contact will be deeply missed, but the relationships she built and the people she encouraged remain part of her legacy.

Raising Curtains Award: Kevin Bruce

Accepting the award: Marcus Lundgren

This year’s recipient has spent decades ensuring that people across BC, and particularly young people, have access to touring arts. The nomination describes an advocate, an agent, a mentor, a change maker, and a loud voice for the touring community, someone who worked tirelessly behind the scenes for organizations, artists, and the countless audience members who experienced live performance because of that work.

Careers like this shape a sector in ways that are almost impossible to measure. They are found in tours that happened, relationships that lasted, artists who were championed, presenters who were supported, and young people who encountered live performance because someone kept working to make it possible.