Time to celebrate the finest in folk music! Nominations are now open for the Ontario Folk Music Awards! This year, we will be honouring our nominees and winners at an awards gala on Sunday, October 6th, 2024, at the Living Arts Centre in Mississauga, Ontario.
Deadline to Apply: June 14, 2024
If you have any questions regarding the awards or nomination process, please contact us directly at office@folkmusicontario.ca.
There are 4 categories to apply for in 2024:
- CMRRA Song of the Year Award
- Album of the Year Award
- Performing Artist of the Year Award
- Recording Artist of the Year
Note: Those looking to apply for the Colleen Peterson Award must first apply for Song of the Year. More information in the form and below.
For more information on each award and eligibility criteria, please see below on this page!
Instructions:
- Click “Register Now”
- Members: Log into your FMO Account
- Non-Members: Create an account to continue
- Choose Your Ticket Type (Member VS Non-Member)
- Click “Assign Ticket”
- Fill in your information
- Click “Continue”
- Fill in your nomination information
- Proceed to payment!
2024 Estelle Klein Award
Folk Music Ontario Members are also invited to nominate for the 2024 Estelle Klein Community Builder Award, and the Estelle Klein Lifetime Achievement Award.
Click here to apply/nominate for the 2024 Estelle Klein Community Builder Award.
Click here to apply/nominate for the 2024 Estelle Klein Lifetime Achievement Award.
Click here to view a list of past recipients
The Estelle Klein Award honours the work of an individual or group that has made significant contributions to Ontario’s folk music community. The award is named after Estelle Klein, a long-time advocate of Canadian folk music and one of the early founders of the folk festival scene in this country.
The Community Builder category shines a light on mid-career or up-and-coming community members that are actively enriching and supporting folk music in their local communities and throughout the province. The Lifetime Achievement award honours the work of an individual or group that has made significant contributions to Ontario’s folk music community.
Selection Procedure
Each award has its own jury. Each jury is comprised of industry professionals and includes a representative from the sponsor, where possible. All efforts are made to keep the judging fair. All awards require a minimum of five applications in order to be active.
General Eligibility Requirements:
- Eligibility Period: January 1, 2023 - December 31, 2023
- Lyrics may be presented/sung in any language
- Artist or 50% of Duo/Group must reside in Ontario or the National Capital Region for at least one year prior to the application.
- One physical trophy is awarded per award category, regardless of size of group.
- A admin fee of $25 for members and $35 for non-members will be charged per application - not per category applied for, ie. you can apply for as many categories as you are eligible for, per application.
CMRRA Song of the Year
(Formerly known as the ‘Songs From the Heart’ Award)
The Song of the Year Award is presented by Folk Music Ontario and the Canadian Musical Reproduction Rights Agency (CMRRA). This award recognizes a songwriter(s) whose music demonstrates excellence in the craft of songwriting. A songwriter writing alone or in collaboration with others is eligible, as long as 50% of the songwriter(s) is/are a current resident of Ontario. A song does not need to contain lyrics to be eligible. Songs submitted must have been released, in any format, during the eligibility period. This category awards the composer(s)/songwriter(s) of the song, not the performing artist unless they are also a songwriter of the song.