Nominations

Awarded to an Equity member in recognition of their artistic achievements throughout their career.

It recognizes not only career achievement, but also colleagues who have gone “above and beyond” in other ways that contribute to the benefit of either Equity or its members.

A candidate for this award must have distinguished themself through an extraordinary career (skill, breadth, duration, etc.) within Equity’s jurisdiction.

Preference is given to candidates who have also:

• Through personal action or advocacy, had a direct and significant benefit to the members of Equity; or
• Served as a strong voice for Equity and its members, or
• Provided active and nurturing mentorship or training for other artists.

The Emerging Artist Award is presented to a member who joined Equity within the past three years and has made an outstanding contribution to the performing arts early in their career.

Candidates for this honour must have been a member of Equity for three years or fewer, be in good standing, and distinguish themselves through:

• Professional achievement
• Demonstrated professionalism
• Artistic excellence
• Innovation within their craft
• Contributions to the benefit of either Equity or its members

Larry McCance was elected as the first Chair of the Canadian Equity Advisory Committee in 1955, when Canadian theatre artists were accepted into Actors’ Equity Association.

The Larry McCance Award is presented to an Equity member or former staff member in recognition of their outstanding contributions to the Association and its membership.

Candidates for this honour must distinguish themselves through activity in the service of Equity and its members, beyond consideration of personal benefit, in one of the following capacities:

• As an elected representative (notable duration, accomplishment, etc.)
• In a staff capacity (notable duration, accomplishment, etc.)
• Through non-elected action or advocacy that had a direct and significant benefit to the members of Equity

Examples of an “outstanding contribution” may be in one or more of the following areas:

• Making a notable improvement to member benefits or member services
• Increasing appreciation of Equity within the membership
• Serving as a strong “voice” for Equity and its members
• Increasing opportunities for members
• Increasing awareness of the diversity within the membership
• Providing compassionate assistance (PAL, Actors’ Fund, etc.)

Awarded to a member who has furthered the values of equality, diversity, inclusion, and belonging in Equity’s jurisdiction through their artistic achievements, personal action, or advocacy.

A candidate for this honour must be a member in good standing, who has distinguished themselves through:

• Serving as a strong “voice” for their historically underrepresented community
• Increasing awareness of diversity and inclusive issues in their community or the performing arts community

Honorary membership is awarded to a non-member of Equity who has made an outstanding contribution to the Association and/or its members, or to the performing arts.

A candidate for this award must be ineligible to join Equity, and have engaged in conspicuous effort, to the benefit of Association and its members, or generally within the performing arts, in one or more of the following areas:

• Action or advocacy on behalf of, or in support of, Equity
• Training or development of new and/or experienced artists, contributing to excellence within the membership
• Increased opportunity for members; or philanthropy or patronage in support of live performance