Call for Nominations: John and Barbara Mather Award for Lifetime Achievement

John Mather was the founding treasurer of the Ontario Crafts Council, now Craft Ontario, and in 1972, was President of the Ontario Crafts Foundation. Prior to the Foundation's amalgamation with the Canadian Guild of Crafts, he foresaw the need for a common voice for craft in the province and believed that, "A single organization acting on behalf of craftspeople could exert considerable influence". As president of Indusmin Limited, John Mather established the company's unique collection of craft. After his death in 1977, Indusmin Ltd. honoured John Mather through the establishment of the John Mather Fund, which is administered by the Executive Committee of Craft Ontario.

Throughout the last thirty-three years, Barbara Mather, John's widow, has continued to support the award as an important marker of distinction. With her passing in March of 2013, the Mather family has again committed to the future of the award. Our deepest thanks to the Mather family for their dedication to recognising exceptional achievement in support of the craft community. As of 2014, we are pleased to announce that the award will be officially continued under the name of the John and Barbara Mather Award for Lifetime Achievement.

Award Recipients are truly outstanding in their fields and have displayed exceptional commitment to the further development of craft in Ontario and throughout Canada. On behalf of Ontario's craft community, and through the generous support of Barbara Mather, we are pleased to recognize and celebrate them with this great honour. The Award has been celebrating distinguished contributors to craft since 1981, and it is one of the highest markers of exceptional commitment to the development of craft in Ontario.

Nominations

The 2024 call for nominations has closed, please stay tuned for next year!

Recipients of the John and Barbara Mather Award receive recognition, a medal to commemorate their achievements and $500. The Award has been celebrating distinguished contributors to craft since 1981, and it is one of the highest markers of exceptional commitment to the development of craft in Ontario. Craft Ontario Organization Members, past Mather Award recipients, and leaders from Ontario-based craft sector organizations and educational institutions are eligible for submitting a nomination. Nominations must be received by the Craft Ontario office by the submission deadline, and must include:

• A two page letter of nomination, written by an authorized representative, that outlines why the individual is worthy of the award and recognition for lifetime achievement.
• The letter of nomination must also include a description of the nominee's involvement in supporting craft, and a brief explanation of the nominee's connection to your organization, if applicable.
• A current CV of the nominee's professional background.

Should your nominee be chosen by the jury for the Award, you will be required to submit a high resolution photo of the nominee and a current biography.

You may submit nominations as printed or digital documents. If you are submitting a print package, please mail to:

attn: Craft Awards Program
1106 Queen Street West
Toronto ON, M6J IH9

If you are submitting your nomination in digital format, please send as either PDF or word documents, and email to awards@craftontario.com.