Local Music Makes a Mark in Winnipeg Arts Council Awards

The nominations for the Winnipeg Arts Council Awards are out and there are plenty of names from the local music scene making the list. The annual awards, which will be presented at the Mayor's Luncheon for the Arts on June 19 at the Fairmont Hotel, celebrate members of Winnipeg’s arts community, including individual artists, arts organizations, arts volunteers, and local businesses and organizations that support the arts in Winnipeg.

Hip hop artist, entrepreneur, radio host, and producer Shea Malcolmson (Abstract Artform) landed a nod for the Making a Mark Award, which recognizes an established professional artist, in any discipline, who is receiving critical recognition for excellence in their art practice in Winnipeg and beyond. 

This year's nominees for the RBC On the Rise Award -- which recognizes the demonstrated promise of emerging artists in any discipline -- include Marie-Josée Clément (acclaimed Francophone act marijosée), Stephen Meier (hip hop artist Khan Vikshyn). Songwriter and MC Leonard Sumner won this award last year. 

Jazz Winnipeg general manager Paul Nolin and jazz bassist, teacher, and all-around jazz champion Steve Kirby have both picked up nominations for the Investors Group Making a Difference Award, which celebrates the contribution of an artist or arts administrator to the growth and development of the arts in Winnipeg. 

Check out all of these year's nominees at winnipegarts.ca.