Owen Sound Current Among Winners of City Arts and Culture Awards for 2026
The City of Owen Sound has named its 2026 Arts, Culture and Volunteer Award winners, highlighting contributions across the local arts community and volunteer sector.
The City of Owen Sound has announced the recipients of its 2026 Arts, Culture and Volunteer Awards, recognizing contributions across the local arts community and volunteer sector.
Among the recipients, The Owen Sound Current was awarded the Frontier Award, which recognizes work that “pushes the boundaries of digital media.”
The award was presented to publisher Maryann Thomas and editor Miranda Miller for their work on the independent local news outlet, launched in 2023.
According to the award description, the Frontier Award honours creativity, originality, and technical excellence in the use of digital platforms.
Since its launch, The Owen Sound Current has grown into a daily publication reaching thousands of readers and has provided a platform for community contributors while covering a wide range of local issues.
The awards ceremony took place April 16 at the Harry Lumley Bayshore Community Centre and was open to the public. The event combined the City’s Arts and Culture Awards with the Jan Chamberlain Volunteer of the Year awards, highlighting both creative and civic contributions within the community.
Other 2026 award recipients include:
Emerging Artist – Leopold Baker
Cultural Impact (Group) – Grey Bruce Makers
Artistic Excellence (Individual) – Shirra Benson
Outstanding Event – Amelia Kraemer, Canadian Encaustic Conference
Cultural Changemaker – Keith Medley, Founder of Sweetwater Music Festival
Cultural Legacy – Owen Sound Emancipation Festival
Shared Voices – Marc Matei
Lifetime Achievement – Colleen Purdon
Volunteer award recipients included:
Jan Chamberlain Volunteer of the Year – Andrew Howlett
Jan Chamberlain Volunteer of the Year – Frank Greaves
Youth Volunteer of the Year – Abigail Trombley
Senior of the Year – Anne Robertson
The ceremony featured local performers and was hosted by radio personality Sarah Carmichael. Award recipients received trophies and certificates, with additional prizes provided in select categories.
The Arts, Culture and Volunteer Awards are held every two years and recognize individuals and organizations contributing to Owen Sound’s cultural and community life.
Disclosure: This article was written by Miranda Miller, editor of The Owen Sound Current, who is also a recipient of the Frontier Award mentioned in this story.
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