Ontario Culture Days once again brought communities together across the province, with more than 2,000 free events celebrating arts, culture, and heritage. This year’s three-week festival ran from September 19 to October 12, 2025, featuring 16 official Provincial Festival Hubs and the work of eight Creatives in Residence. Today, Ontario Culture Days proudly announces the winners of the 2025 Spotlight Awards, honouring exemplary programming and community leadership from across the province.
“Each year, the Spotlight Awards remind us of the extraordinary creativity and commitment that festival organizers bring to their communities,” said Ruth Burns, Executive Director of Ontario Culture Days. “This year’s winners not only celebrated this province’s many stories and diverse regions, but also featured inspired participatory programming that reflects the best of Ontario Culture Days.”
The Spotlight Awards honour outstanding efforts by festival organizers and artists who create engaging, inclusive, and impactful programming for their communities. The awards highlight excellence across categories, including Best Participatory Program, Best Collaborative Program, Warren Garrett Inclusive Programming Award, and People’s Choice.
Named after Warren Garrett, a founding board member of Ontario Culture Days and a passionate advocate for accessibility and equity in the arts, the Warren Garrett Inclusive Programming Award celebrates organizers who create festival programming that breaks down barriers and fosters a more equitable cultural sector.
The Ontario Culture Days Spotlight jurors reviewed events across the province to recognize organizers who delivered outstanding programming. Audiences were also invited to vote for their favourite in the People’s Choice category.
2025 Spotlight Recognition Program Winners
BEST PARTICIPATORY PROGRAM
For fostering active involvement and meaningful connections, creating enriching and welcoming shared experiences.
Winner
The Storytelling Slam Night (Orillia, ON)
Organized by City of Orillia, with partners Arts Orillia, North Simcoe Arts, Orillia Native Women’s Group, Mariposa Arts Theatre, Orillia & Area Black Community Association.
Storytelling Slam Night was an evening of community and creativity, featuring Strawberry Juice & Cedar Tea with the Orillia Native Women’s Group, hands-on activities at Arts Orillia’s Creative Youth Lab, and a North Simcoe Arts exhibition. Performances included Ty the Poetess, LifteD, the Orillia & Area Black Community Association, and a preview of Jesus Christ Superstar by Mariposa Arts Theatre. A storytelling showcase and open mic allowed participants to share their voices, with prizes adding to the experience.
Runner Up
Tkaranto Wiigwaasabak: East to West, (Toronto, ON) organized by S’mad (Sustainable market art + design), with partners WCRA/ Willowdale Arts Collective and Ontario Historical Society.
BEST COLLABORATIVE PROGRAM
For interdisciplinary programming created by multiple organizers, demonstrating the innovation that comes from collaboration.
Winner
Threads of Tradition: Introduction to Phulkari Embroidery with Rafia Shafiq (Oakville, Milton, Halton Hills, Burlington, ON)
Organized by Town of Oakville, Milton, Halton Hills, the City of Burlington in partnership with the Art Gallery of Burlington, and Halton Region
Each year the Municipalities of Halton (Burlington, Halton Hills, Milton and Oakville) and Halton Region Heritage Services commission a multidisciplinary artist to lead an interactive activity. Led by artist Rafia Shafiq, the Threads of Tradition workshop invited participants to explore the textile art of Phulkari through hands-on embroidery. Participants worked on fabric with pre-drawn designs, learned traditional motifs while creating their own take-home pieces. Rafia, founder of Dhaga Art, is known for reviving this intricate craft through workshops and collaborations.
Runner-Up
Glen Williams Bicentennial Festival, (Glen Williams, ON) organized by Glen Williams Community Association.
WARREN GARRETT INCLUSIVE PROGRAMMING AWARD
Named after a founding board member of Ontario Culture Days and a passionate advocate for accessibility, this award recognizes programs that dismantle barriers and put equity at the forefront.
Winner
Big Cityyy Plinth (Brantford, ON)
Organized by Big Cityyy Arts, with partner Glenhyrst Art Gallery of Brant.
Big Cityyy Plinths, organized by Big Cityyy Arts, showcased six performance art installations at the Grand River Arts Festival 2025 at Glenhyrst Art Gallery in Brant. The installations explored themes of surrealism, textiles, and sustainability, offering visitors an engaging and thought-provoking experience. The free event featured a full day of activities and art for all ages.
Runner-Up
Arts and Culture Under the Lights, (Thunder Bay, ON) organized by City of Thunder Bay.
PEOPLE’S CHOICE AWARD
Determined by public vote, the People’s Choice recognizes the most-loved event of the 2025 Ontario Culture Days Festival.
Winner
Masks and stories with Toronto Theatre Collective (Toronto, ON)
Organized by Toronto Theatre Collective, with partners Scadding Court Community Centre, SDG Library, The Tett Centre for Creativity and Learning and The Pop Stand
Toronto Theatre Collective brought a hands-on mask-making and storytelling workshop to Scadding Court Community Centre (Toronto), SDG Library (Winchester and South Mountain), The Tett Centre for Creativity and Learning (Kingston), and The Pop Stand (Toronto). Professional actors led an interactive performance, then guided children to craft original masks inspired by the story and their unique collaborative ideas. This creative and engaging workshop encouraged play and self-expression for young participants.
Runner-Up
Amherst Island Culture Days at Rossland Gardens (Stella, ON), organized by Gallery Rossland Gardens Amherst Island
