This award celebrates an individual performer, teacher, administrator and/or creator in any arts discipline, including architecture and design, whose work is a celebration of life through the arts.

The Celebration of Cultural Life Awards is a $10,000 cash award, with finalists receiving $2,000. Originally called the William Kilbourn Award, the award embraces the spirit of Toronto Arts Council founding president William Kilbourn and recognizes excellence in three of Toronto’s senior arts practitioners. The award celebrates an individual performer, teacher, administrator and/or creator in any arts discipline, including architecture and design, whose work is a celebration of life through the arts. The award was re-established in 2017 by Arthur Dalfen who sponsors both the recipient award and the finalist awards. In addition to the prize money, the 2020 recipient will receive a complimentary week-long stay at Valleyview Artist Retreat. The Celebration of Cultural Life Awards is part of our Signature Awards and will be presented every two years at the Mayor’s Arts Lunch.