The 2025 recipients of the Mayor’s Arts Awards were announced last week. This year’s cohort represent the many ways creativity, leadership, and innovation continue to shape Katarokwi/Kingston’s arts and culture sector.

Each recipient contributes something distinct to the city's cultural identity: new artistic perspectives, transformative ideas, and sustained efforts that uplift and empower others working in the arts.

Their achievements reflect both the depth of talent within the Katarokwi/Kingston and the vital role of the arts in driving cultural growth, civic pride, and creative possibility.

Creator Award:
Camille Spencer

Camille Spencer is a dancer, choreographer, community builder, and educational force for movement in Kingston and the surrounding area. Camille has made significant waves in Kingston since arriving in 2020, helping to cultivate a thriving creative community in her field. Camille continues to plant seeds and nurture a love of dance for audiences of all ages, abilities, and experience levels in Kingston and beyond. 

Creator Award:
Aaron Forsyth

Aaron Forsyth, otherwise known as EronOne, is a visual artist specializing in vibrant murals and custom design work. With striking public art pieces across Kingston, including the large-scale mural on the waterfront walkway of the Delta Hotel, the Transformations collaborative mural at the Agnes Etherington Art Centre, and smaller-scale but no less iconic murals at local businesses like Pizza Monster, Aaron’s creative aesthetic has made a bold imprint on Kingston’s artistic landscape.

Creator Award:
Jesse MacMillan

Jesse MacMillan is a multidisciplinary artist and technician known for his thoughtful lighting and sound design, collaborative performances, and unwavering commitment to helping every production reach its full potential. Jesse’s outstanding creative work, and his dedication to educating and supporting others in realizing their creative visions, make him a force in Kingston’s arts  community.

Arts Champion Award:
Centre culturel Frontenac

Le Centre culturel Frontenac, incorporated in 1980, is Kingston's premier Francophone cultural hub, dedicated to celebrating and promoting Francophone arts and culture through theatre, music, dance, and more. Through quality programming and creative leadership, le Centre culturel Frontenac promotes a visible, vibrant, and  active Francophone community in Kingston and beyond. Félicitations pour quarante-cinq ans de passion francophone partagée!

In Listening Homes, artist Sumera Khan turns her attention to the quiet interiors that shape our emotional lives. Through a series of intimate oil paintings Khan explores the emotional and psychological weight carried by domestic spaces. 

Textured surfaces, layered light, and familiar everyday details, the work captures personal histories and traces of lived experience within the quiet corners of home.

Date: Monday, 8 December | 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM
Location: The Pocket Gallery | Unit 115, 370 King St W

Join us in celebrating the opening of Sumera Khan's exhibit Listening Homes. Meet with the artist and learn more about her work, inspirations, and techniques!

This free, all-ages event is open to everyone, with light refreshments provided.

Vision Board Collage Workshop

The Tett x Ro Grant
Date: 11 December 2025

Join former Tett Artist in Residence Ro Grant for a creative and inspiring evening of self-reflection and imagination!

In this guided edition of Collage Club, participants will design their own vision boards — visual maps of dreams, goals, and possibilities for the future. With Ro’s thoughtful prompts and guidance, participants will explore how images, colour, and composition can clarify intentions and spark motivation.

A Miss Emily Christmas

The Isabel Bader Centre x Miss Emily
Date: 28 November 2025 | 6:30 P.M.

Throughout Emily Fennell’s career as a singer, songwriter, and performer, the Christmas season has always been a time that unites her favourite themes—community, generational love, and family.

A Miss Emily Christmas combines sleigh rides and candy canes with soul music and glittery pink accents. It’s a fun and welcoming celebration that will have you up on your feet singing along and sharing the best that the season has to offer.