About Contact East - Awards & Award Nominations

+ ABOUT CONTACT EAST: History; Awards & Nominations

Initiated in 1998, Contact East sponsored a series of awards to recognize excellence and achievement in the field of live performance touring and presentation. The Contact East Awards of Excellence celebrate the growth of the industry and recognize the accomplishments of presenters and performers who comprise the touring sector in Atlantic Canada.

Beginning in 2015, Contact East streamlined its awards into one honour, the Atlantic Presenters Association Achievement Award.

Atlantic Presenters Association Achievement Award
The Atlantic Presenters Association Achievement Award is presented annually to a deserving individual who has made a significant contribution to the performing arts touring sector in Atlantic Canada, thereby furthering the objectives of the Association. The recipient is selected by the APA Board of Directors.

2020		Jenelle Duval, First Light Centre for Performance & Creativity, St. John’s, NL
2019		Pam Leader, The Savoy Theatre, Glace Bay, NS
2018		Tim Yerxa, The Fredericton Playhouse, Fredericton, NB
2017		Steve Butler, Paquin Artist Agency, Toronto, ON
2016		Heather McGean, Dalhousie Arts Centre, Halifax, NS
2015		Erick Bickerdike, Chester Playhouse, Chester, NS

Atlantic Presenters Association - Award of Excellence
(formerly the Performing Arts Touring Award of Excellence)
To recognize the commitment and contribution of an individual to touring performance presentation in Atlantic Canada, such as long term involvement, commitment to excellence, or contribution to community life and/or to touring sector growth.

2014		Celtic Colours International Festival, Cape Breton, NS
2013		Peter Brzezicki, Riverview Arts Centre, Riverview, NB
2012		Sue Urquhart, Charlottetown, PE
2011		Debut Atlantic, Halifax, NS
2010		Dick Stoker, Desmond Maillet, Marcel McKeough, and Harry Holman
2009		Peter D. Smith, Imperial Theatre, Saint John, NB
2007		Michael Steinitz, Antigonish Performing Arts Series, Antigonish, NS
2005		Rindy Austin, Council of the Arts, Fredericton, NB
2003		John C Perlin, CM, CVO, St.John’s, NL
2001		Pamela Kinsman, Atlantic Presenters Association, Windsor, NS
1998		Mary Ryan, Performing Arts Sponsors of Nova Scotia, Halifax, NS Betty Tompkins, New Brunswick Arts Council, Saint John, NB

Community Presenters Award
To recognize excellence and achievement by an individual or organization in a volunteer capacity to present touring performances, such as long term involvement, commitment to excellence in programming, or contribution to community life. This award was no longer presented after 2014.

2014		Mount Allison Performing Arts Series, Sackville, NB
2013		Deep Roots Music Cooperative, Wolfville, NS
2012		Errin Williams Spidle, Harmony Bazaar Festival of Women and Song, Lockport, NS
2011		Les Productions Le Moulin, Saulnierville, NS
2010		Fred Chipman, Acadia Performing Arts Series, Wolfville, NS
2009		Russell Easy, Lunenburg Folk Harbour Society, Lunenburg, NS
2007		Carleton-Victoria Arts Council, Perth-Andover, NB
2005		Barbara Butler, St. Cecilia’s Concert Series, Halifax, NS
2003		Hampton Concert Group, Hampton, NB
2001		Michael Steinitz, Antigonish Performing Arts Series, Antigonish, NS
1998		Rindy Austin, Council of the Arts - Fredericton, NB

Professional Presenters Award
To recognize excellence and achievement by an individual or organization in a professional capacity to present touring performances, such as long term commitment, commitment to excellence in programming and professionalism, or contribution to community life and/or to the touring sector in Atlantic Canada. This award was no longer presented after 2014.

2014		TD Halifax Jazz Festival, Halifax, NS
2013		Harvest Jazz And Blues Festival, Fredericton, NB
2012		David O'Leary, Evergreen Theatre, Margaretsville, NS
2011		The Stan Rogers Folk Festival, Canso, NS
2010		Live Art Dance Productions, Halifax, NS
2009		Robin Anne Ettles, Capitol Theatre, Moncton, NB
2007		Astor Theatre, Liverpool, NS
2005		Confederation Centre of the Arts, Charlottetown, PEI
2003		John Patches, Maine Center of the Arts, Orono, Maine, USA
2001		Capitol Theatre, Moncton, NB
1998		Richard Stoker, Arts and Culture Centres, NL

Touring Performers Award
To recognize performers whose professionalism and cooperative spirit enhance their relationship with presenters, such as cooperation in performance promotion, technical facilitation, contract fulfillment, or service above and beyond contractual agreements, either presented or self-presented. This award was no longer presented after 2014.

2014		Jeremy Webb / Off the Leash Creative, NS
2013		Bboyizm, ON
2012		Atlantic Ballet Theatre of Canada, NB
2011		Kevin Fox, ON
2010		Julia McKay, Jake’s Gift, BC
2009		Chuck and Albert, PE
2007		Chris Coldpaugh and the Cosmic Crew, NB
2005		Hot Toddy / Isaac & Blewitt, NB
2003		Motus O Dance Theatre, Stouffville, ON
2001		Duo Concertante, St. John’s, NL
1998		The Quigley Ensemble, NB

Artist Manager/Agent of the Year Award
To recognize exceptional achievement by business organizations that work in partnership with presenters to develop and maintain audiences, promote block booking activity, conceive innovative touring projects, and otherwise go above and beyond the basic booking of engagements. This award was no longer presented after 2011.

2011		Agence Station Bleue, Montreal, PQ
2010		Prologue to the Performing Arts, Toronto, ON
2009		Mermaid Theatre, Windsor, NS

Patron of the Arts
To recognize the philanthropic commitment and contribution of an individual, or organization, to the presentation of the live performing arts in Atlantic Canada, such as long term involvement, or contribution to community life and/or to touring sector growth. This award was no longer presented after 2014.

2011		Delta Hotels
2010		Ron Outerbridge/Coast Tire, NS
2009		Doug & Debbie Hall, PE
2007		Winston Pearce, Moncton, NB
2007		Winston Pearce, Moncton, NB
2005		Moosehead Brewery, Saint John, NB
2003		RBC Royal Bank

Marketing and Promotion Innovation Award
To recognize innovative and successful initiatives to increase audiences for touring performances, such as cooperative or joint promotional ventures, series innovation, or creative sponsorships. This award was no longer presented after 2007.

2007		Mocean Dance, Halifax, NS
2005		The Playhouse, Fredericton, NB
2003		Artistic Fraud of Newfoundland, St. John’s, NL
2001		Keltic Lodge’s Theatre on the Cliff, Cape Breton, NS
1998		Paula Davis, Port Hawkesbury Recreation Department, NS

Contact East is pleased to thank its generous funding partners:

The Atlantic Presenters Association is dedicated to providing space that is accessible, inclusive, and free from oppression, harassment, and discrimination. At our gatherings, we will treat each other with respect and dignity, regardless of age, race, gender expression, gender identity, sexual orientation, levels of ability, religion and all our other diverse identities.

The Atlantic Presenters Association is honoured exist on the ancestral and unceded territories of several Indigenous peoples: the Mi’kmaq, Wəlastəkwiyik, Passamaquoddy, Beothuk, Inuit of Nunatsiavut and NunatuKavut and the Innu of Nitassinan.