The WorkInCulture (WIC) Bob Johnston Award is a biennial award that recognizes an individual who is committed to furthering the growth of Ontario’s cultural sector, either as a creator, manager, mentor, supporter or educator.

The award is named after Robert (Bob) Johnston, whose persistent, patient and selfless efforts over a lifetime of service stands as a model of professionalism for cultural workers of all disciplines and abilities.

As the long-standing Executive Director of WorkInCulture (formerly known as Cultural Careers Council Ontario), Johnston’s leadership resulted in heightened awareness of the importance of human resources management for cultural organizations and provided improved opportunities for training and professional development for cultural workers.

In 2019, along with the Excellence Award we introduced the Emerging Leader Award with a prize of $500 to go towards a professional development opportunity (course, workshop, residency, etc.). 

All nominations are reviewed by WorkInCulture’s Bob Johnston Award Committee.

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PAST WINNERS

2018:
Emerging Leader Award recipient - Jacqui Arntfield, Curator at Lakeshore Arts 
Excellence Award recipient - Lila Karim, Executive Director, North York Arts

2016: Carol Kehoe, former Executive Director at Hamilton’s Philharmonic Orchestra.
2014: Margaret Genovese, Senior Partner at Genovese, Vanderhoof & Associates
2012: Catherine Smalley, Arts Consultant and member of Arts Consultants Canada
2010: Patricia Fraser, Dancer and Artistic Director of The School of Toronto Dance Theatre,