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Commit to craft and join us for our next chapter!
Commit to craft and join us for our next chapter!

Awards

Now accepting

Craft Awards Program — applications open until Monday, June 1, 2026.

John and Barbara Mather Award — nominations open until Monday, June 1, 2026.

Community Awards — open year-round to Organization Members.

Jean Johnson Craft Writing Award — applications have not yet opened for 2026.

For more than four decades, Craft Ontario has recognized the people who shape contemporary craft in this province. Our four award programs honour different parts of that ecosystem: the Craft Awards Program celebrates excellence across disciplines; the John and Barbara Mather Award acknowledges exceptional commitment to the development of craft in Ontario; the Jean Johnson Craft Writing Award supports emerging voices in craft writing and curation; and Community Awards thank the makers, mentors, and advocates who hold our communities together. Together, they reflect what Craft Ontario values most: craftspersonship, generosity, and connection.

Jean Johnson Craft Writing Award

The award supports emerging careers in craft discourse, furthering the appreciation and understanding of craft in Canada.

Recent Announcements

  • 2025 Craft Awards: Impact Review
    April 8, 2026

    2025 Craft Awards: Impact Review

    In anticipation of the 2026 Craft Awards Program being open for applications (deadline of June 1, 2026), we connected with the 2025 Craft Award Recipients to hear their feedback on the impacts of receiving a 2025 Craft Award and what they are working on now!

    View more
  • Craft Awards
    March 6, 2026

    Craft Awards

    Deadline: Monday, June 1, 2026 at 11:59 PM EST

    Craft Awards recognize accomplished and dedicated practitioners in the field of craft and design.
    View more
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Make an award possible

Craft Ontario's awards exist because of the donors, families, and sponsors who fund them. Many of our awards are memorial awards, established by family and friends to honour someone whose life shaped craft in Ontario. Others come from sponsors who believe in advancing the field through recognition and support.

If you're thinking about establishing an award, whether to honour someone's memory, recognize a specific craft discipline, or support emerging makers in a particular way, we'd be glad to talk through what's possible.

Contact Robyn Wilcox, Executive Director, at rwilcox@craftontario.com.

Awards FAQs

Who can apply for Craft Ontario awards?

The Craft Awards Program is open to current Maker Members at no cost and to non-members with a $10 fee. The Mather Award is open to nominations from the public. Community Awards are presented by Organization Members to recipients of their choosing.

When do submissions open each year?

The Craft Awards Program and Mather Award typically open in winter and close in spring. Watch the Craftflash newsletter and our Instagram for current deadlines.

How do I find past recipients?

Each program's main page lists recent and historical recipients. You can also browse all award announcements in the feed above.

Need Answers?

See the FAQ page

Want to Connect?

awards@craftontario.com