Cape Breton University Announces 2026 Cape Breton Creative Arts Awards Nominees

Cape Breton University, together with the Cape Breton Partnership, have announced the final nominees for the 2026 Cape Breton Creative Arts Awards.

The 2026 Cape Breton Creative Arts Awards will be presented at the Boardmore Playhouse on October 24, beginning at 7:00pm and will recognize the remarkable contributions of individuals and organizations to the creative arts community across Unama’ki – Cape Breton, while also fostering new opportunities for learning, networking and creative collaboration.

“The response from the community this year has been outstanding and the caliber of our nominees truly reflects the depth of talent across our island,” says Todd Hiscock, CBU Creative Arts Coordinator. “Each of these finalists has made a lasting impact on our local arts sector, whether through education, volunteerism or building new opportunities from the ground up. 

Award Categories

The Father Donald Campbell Founder Award: Given to an individual(s) whose legacy in the creative arts has developed connections to academia and/or the larger community. The recipient has produced a considerable body of work in the creative arts or in support of the same for their community. A natural leader with a proven commitment to the preservation of higher learning, the Father Donald Campbell Founder Award recognizes the work of accomplished individuals possessing foresight, dedication and perseverance in collaborating with diverse stakeholders to maintain the creative arts in our community.

Nominees: 

Gary Walsh and Jeanette MacDonald (Cabot Trail Writers Festival)
Ash Young and Nick Beaton (Cape Breton Comedy Festival)
Dr. Glenn Graham (Musician, Educator)

The Elizabeth and Harry Boardmore Builder Award: Given to an individual(s) or group who have initiated creative arts projects/programming in the community. Exemplifying a deep commitment to student engagement in the arts, this award winner has contributed significantly to the development of novel creative arts opportunities that reach a wide, engaged audience. Builders produce new and exciting creative arts deliverables that explore innovation in method, application and content.

Nominees:

Denika Michelle – Film
Heather Kerr – Theatre
Ken Woroner – Unama’ki/Cape Breton Film Festival
Port Morien Wildlife Association

The Sons of Membertou Educator Award: Given to an individual(s) or group who have promoted and demonstrated the importance of Creative Arts as an educational tool. This award recognizes effective learning-centred creative arts initiatives that elevate and integrate the arts across diverse cultures and contexts. Curricula development, programming design, innovation in creative arts teaching modalities to produce effective teaching and learning tools as well as achievement in the application of teaching and learning outcomes, will be considered.

Nominees:

Andrea Dennis (Beadwork Artist)
Chinese Dragon Cultural Heritage Association
Angelo Spinazzola (The First Nations Songwriting Sessions)
Robyn Martelly (Artist and Children’s Author)

The Barbara Stetter Youth Award: Given to an individual under 19 years of age who is actively participating in an arts organization/group/project. Individuals pursuing post-secondary study in the fine arts, or youth who are developing creative projects sponsored or produced by their community, are eligible for consideration. Youth program leaders/teachers may nominate suitable candidates to the nomination committee for consideration.

Nominees:

Amy Smith (Riverview High School)
Cody Young (Memorial High School)
Madison Parnel (Cape Breton University)
Zachary MacKeigan (Memorial High School)

The David Sneddon Volunteer Award: Given to an individual(s) or group who have consistently offered their time and expertise to advance a creative arts organization/group/project. Awarded to an active member of a society or group who has donated a significant amount of their time and talent to creative arts projects produced in their community. All aspects of creative contribution may be considered, but the effort must be volunteer-based and leave an enduring impact on the creative arts community.

Nominees:

Festival Volunteer Drive’ers Association
Natasha Burke Morash (Foggy View Players)

The Caper Radio CBU Student Award: Given to an individual or group who has impactfully promoted the creative arts on the CBU campus. This award may be conferred upon a group or individual, past or present, for a project(s) which has advanced the awareness of the value of creative arts through excellence in program design, commitment to cultural awareness and diversity, and capacity to actively involve students in the creative arts at CBU.

Nominees:

Om Ware
Sasha Young
Nova Nguyen
Breagh Kelly

Tickets

The winners of the 2026 Cape Breton Creative Arts Awards will be announced during the awards gala on October 24, beginning at 7:00 p.m. at the Boardmore Playhouse. 

Attendance at the awards gala is open to all, at no charge. To book a seat please go to cbu.universitytickets.com