Emerging Artists Awards being held by APFTA

By Michael Riley

Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

A Place for the Arts is holding the first Emerging Artists' Awards for 2026 to allow young artists in Bancroft and the surrounding area aged 14 to 19 years to learn the business of art. Debbie Christie, director at APFTA, comments to Bancroft This Week on these new awards.

This new and exciting program was launched by APFTA due to a generous donation for a student scholarship for emerging artists from age 14 to 19 years in North Hastings. Three emerging artists will be selected and the scholarship will include; a three-month showing of their art at APFTA in 2026, coaching by APFTA members about the business of art (self-promotion, web presence, social media, business card creation, etc.), and first-hand experience in art gallery operation.

“Even if they don't know yet if the art world is where they want to be it will give youth the opportunity to get to know other artists who started out just like them but perhaps not with the supports that they will be offered. The application process will be very similar to that of all artists who join APFTA,” they said in the media release for the awards.

The application is available online at www.apfta.ca/emergingartistawards.html and in print at APFTA at 23 Bridge Street West. The deadline for applications is Jan. 5, 2026. A team of adjudicators will select three applicants each to be awarded a three-month showing at the gallery. The first showing will be February to April, the second showing will be from May to July and the third showing will be from August to October. Their work will be exhibited on a special wall panel at APFTA for these Emerging Artists Awards.

Christie told Bancroft This Week on Nov. 20 that they had a generous donation for a place on the gallery wall for students.

“We decided to offer this space in three month increments to three students to give the opportunity to learn the business of art to more than just one,” she says.

Christie says that this is the inaugural year for the program and they are hoping that donations will cover the years to come so that all young artists will have the opportunity to participate.

“We decided that there should be an application process like they would experience as a professional artist. That the students will learn to integrate their experience with that of other more professional artists who have space on the wall at APFTA,” she says.

  All the APFTA members will cooperate with this endeavour, according to Christie.

“There will be opportunities as a whole or we will streamline the needs of each student to get the experience they would like to have,” she says.

Artist and APFTA member Luann Coghlan thinks it is wonderful and she welcomes the opportunity of learning from the young artists' perspective.

“Art is a never-ending journey of learning. I would have loved an opportunity like this when I was young and am proud to be a member of APFTA,” she says.

APFTA member and artist Erica Tripp says they are genuinely thrilled to offer this award and mentorship through APFTA.

“Bancroft is such a vibrant, creative community, and it's essential that we continue nurturing that energy in young people who may be drawn to the arts. I'm excited to be able to help provide this opportunity, one that I wish I had had when I was younger!” she says.

Christie reveals to Bancroft This Week that they've just put out the call for applications.

“We are hoping to have several by Jan. 6 and these applications will be adjudicated and the three awards will be announced.”