Canada Council for the Arts: John Hobday Awards in Arts Management

Deadline: March 5, 2026

Program Summary:

The John Hobday Awards in Arts Management are granted to talented arts managers in professional arts organizations from Canada for professional development or mentoring purposes.

• The Professional Development and Renewal Award is granted to an outstanding arts manager wishing to take part in a short term recognized program, seminar or workshop.
• The Mentorship Award goes to an arts manager who is seeking to acquire different knowledge, experience and skills under the supervision of a mentor.

Background

These awards were established with a $1 million donation from the Samuel and Saidye Bronfman Family Foundation to the Canada Council for the Arts. John Hobday made an enormous contribution to improving the work quality and professionalism of arts managers from Canada by promoting professional development and continuous training and focusing on the profession’s importance for the growth and viability of the arts.

Eligible Activities:

You can apply for 1 of the following activities:  

• professional development and renewal through a short-term recognized program, seminar or workshop of less than 1 year
• A mentorship with an established or mid-career arts manager who is currently employed by a Canadian professional arts organization

The assessment committee may decide not to award one or both prizes in a given competition. The committee may also choose 2 winners for a Professional Development and Renewal award or 2 winners for a Mentorship award.

For the Professional Development and Renewal award:

• The cost of the short-term program of study (registration fees, etc.)
• Professional fees during your short program of study (salary replacement, living costs, etc.)
• Travel costs to and from the training site
• The cost of supplies related to the program of study (books, manuals or other materials)

For the Mentorship award:

• Professional fees during your mentorship project for you and/or your mentor (salary replacement, living costs, etc.)
• Travel costs related to the mentorship project (based on economy fares)
• The cost of supplies related to the mentorship project

Who Can Apply:

Arts managers with significant experience in any artistic field of practice supported by the Canada Council may apply for the awards.

They must also:

• be one of the following:
  • a Canadian citizen living in Canada or abroad
  • a First Nations, Inuit or Métis person from the land now known as Canada
  • a permanent resident of Canada, as defined by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada; or
  • a Protected Person of Canada, as defined by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada
  • The applicant does not need to be living in Canada to apply
• be currently employed by a Canadian professional arts organization
• have a minimum of 10 years of professional activities (but not necessarily in consecutive years)
• be at least 18 years old

Arts management (also known as arts administration) applies business administration techniques and processes to the art world. It includes running the daily business operations of both private and public art institutions.

Arts managers may be responsible for marketing, audience development, education, production, fundraising, government relations, etc. They work in arts organizations of all kinds, such as producing, presenting and exhibiting organizations (theatres, opera companies, symphony orchestras, dance companies, commercial and non-profit galleries, or museums), arts councils, arts service organizations and government.