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 are open until March 28, 2025 – nominate today!
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.
Award Winners
Festival of the Year: Coldsnap Festival, Prince George
The Coldsnap Festival in Prince George deserves this Award because, first of all, they are brave enough to hold a festival in Northern BC in the Winter! They also do impactful advocacy work, such as supporting Canadian Artists for Reconciliation and Education (C.A.R.E.) and advocacy. Their team works hard to participate in activities that benefit the sector as a whole.
Performing Artist / Artistic Company of the Year: Ballet Kelowna, Kelowna
Over the past decade, the ballet world has undergone rapid transformation led by a new generation of visionary Artistic Directors. Several regional ballet companies have evolved and earned their place among those actively commissioning some of the most innovative dance creations in Canada. Among these trailblazing companies is the winner of tonight’s award.
This company stands as a significant representation of the profound artistic excellence within our province.
Artist Representative (Agent/Manager) of the Year: Sandra Smith, Plaid People Music, Smithers
The winner of this Award is someone who is not just an agent but someone who supports her artists through the many ups and downs in their personal lives, acting as management and even designing graphics. Over the years, she has written many successful touring travel grants and has always been just a phone call or text away. She is worthy of many awards, but I am thrilled she is receiving this one, as she just announced that she has to step away from the agency to take care of her health and well-being.
Presenter of the Year – Professional (soft-seat) Theatres: Galen Olstead, Key City Theatre, Cranbrook
Key City Theatre’s colleagues said… “I have had the pleasure of working with this Presenter over many years, and it has been a pleasure to see the broad scope of their work and expertise, the quality of their programming, and how their involvement with BCTC has all expanded and deepened. He has demonstrated commitment, dedication, smarts and hard work.
They present a lot of shows and seem to manage it all with ease. They take risks with regards to programming all while managing a venue and being the heart of performing arts in Cranbrook.”
Presenter of the Year – Volunteer Organizations: Eileen Floody, West Coast Winter Music Society, Tofino
The winning Presenter has brought a stellar array of artists to their community for over 20 years. They have worked hard to put the wild west coast of Vancouver Island on the map for something other than whale watching and surfing. They have taken risks and supported Island touring. Sadly, they have made the tough decision to wrap up presenting. But this Presenter and her crew have gone many extra miles to keep their organization going in recent years. They will be missed by all the Islanders.
Touring Award of Excellence: Doug Cox
The winner is the Artistic Director of Vancouver Island Music Fest, where he has been for nearly 25 years. He has grown the festival from a half-day to three days with more than 20,000 people attending.
On the heels of COVID, Doug also overtook the programming of a floundering community venue in Courtenay (the Old Church Theatre). He made it a vibrant place to hear live music in an intimate setting year-round.
More than that, Doug has been an event producer/presenter (and touring musician) for 40 years. He is also a teacher, mentor and advocate for many young musicians.
Raising Curtains Award: Bill Usher
Bill’s career as a musician, writer, performer and producer spans over 50 years. He has worked with hundreds of artists and organizations along the way. He is a self-taught drummer who has won multiple Juno awards and played and recorded with well-known artists, from Bruce Cockburn and Ronnie Hawkins to Valdy and Stan Rogers. Since 2002, he has made his home in Golden, BC and put his career experiences into practice first as the Board Chair and then as the Executive & Artistic Director of Kicking Horse Culture. He recently retired from this position and is touring with his band, the Space Heaters.