Each year BC Live members are invited to nominate presenters, festivals, agents and managers, artistic companies and/or artists who deserve recognition. Winners are announced and presented with their Award at the Pacific Contact Award Ceremony.
Nomination Procedure
- Members of BC Live are eligible to nominate individuals or organizations in each category.
- Only one ballot for each person will be permitted for each category.
- You may not nominate yourself or your own organization.
Nominations closed June 30, 2025.
Thank you to those who nominated.
Award Categories & Eligibility
Eligibility
- BC organization
- Be currently presenting a festival with 3 or more acts
- Demonstrate commitment to artistic and managerial excellence
- Demonstrate community engagement and inclusivity
Non-BC Live members can nominate and be nominated in the Festival category only.
Eligibility
- Performed in BC either live (in-person) or via live stream/digital
- Demonstrated artistic excellence in their discipline
- Demonstrated the highest degree of professionalism
Eligibility
- Demonstrate professionalism and respect for artists and presenters
- Demonstrate ethical and best practices in business
Venue Presenters who present a series or a season.
Eligibility
- BC organization
- Be currently presenting a series, season of 10 or more shows annually
- Demonstrate commitment to artistic and managerial excellence
- Demonstrate community engagement and inclusivity
- Demonstrate the highest degree of professionalism in presenting
Community presenters who present a series or season.
Eligibility
- BC organization
- Be currently presenting a series or season of 3 or more shows
- Demonstrate commitment to artistic and managerial excellence
- Demonstrate community engagement and inclusivity
This award recognizes an outstanding body of work, long-standing service and contribution and exemplifies excellence in the performing arts touring sector. The award recipient in this category is chosen by a selection committee with input from the BC Live board of directors and is not automatically awarded each year.
The Raising Curtains Award recognizes those who work behind the scenes. Again, chosen by a selection committee with input from the BC Live board of directors, it is an award not necessarily given each year.
2025 Award Winners
Artistic Company of the Year: Axis Theatre
In the past couple of years, they’ve had many different shows visit well over 100 unique communities and performed to over 95,000 audience members, and it looks like they aren’t slowing down. The care and detail they put into each aspect of creation, production and touring make this a stand-out company. They have proven themselves to be easy to work with, highly professional and dedicated to creating relevant work that children and families love.
Artist Representative of the Year: Genny DeMerchant, DeMerchant Artists Agency
This Agent is an elegant writer with an excellent personality for the Arts and Events industry. Their passion for their work is evident, and they are a great leader and a team player who is enjoyable to work with. They communicate clearly and diplomatically, displaying expertise that is second to none. They are organized, detail-driven and creative.
Presenter/Venue of the Year: David Warburton, The Port Theatre
This Presenter has a wealth of knowledge of multidisciplinary works and is always well-spoken and articulate at meetings. They are open about sharing resources with colleagues and supporting smaller organizations, sometimes much smaller organizations. The work and success that their organization has accomplished regarding truth and reconciliation in their programming and outreach is exemplary to many of us, and I think that speaks to the vision and care from this Presenter.
Community Presenter of the Year: Quadra Concerts, Quadra Island Recreation Society
This Presenter has been bringing top artists to the Island for decades. But their presenting is fresh, often reinvented, and exciting. It is clear that their volunteers love their community and love the performing arts. They are also constantly trying to improve and modernize the features of their community hall/venue. There are always a few surprises each season. This is a small organization in a remote-ish community that absolutely punches above its weight in terms of artistic choices.
Festival of the Year: Come Toward the Fire, The Chan Centre
This festival provides deeply and mindfully curated Indigenous programming and education/outreach in a setting that reinforces the importance of the land in Indigenous artistic expression. My experiences at this festival have changed much about how I view my role as a settler/presenter. The fact that many aspects of the festival are free and family-friendly (and fun) builds community.
Touring Award of Excellence: Rick Scott
Chosen by the BC Live Board, this award recognizes an outstanding body of work, long-standing service and contribution and exemplifies excellence in the performing arts touring sector. Accepting this award on Rick’s behalf was his partner, Valley Hennell and his daughter, Tai.
We remember and honour our colleague, friend and gifted musician, Rick Scott, who passed away in August. Just before he passed, BC Live’s Chair, Deb Renz, had the privilege of presenting Rick with his Award in person – an honour so well deserved for his incredible talent, dedication, and impact on the music community and audiences across BC, Canada and beyond.
Note there was no Raising Curtains Award presented in 2025.