ONTARIO FOLK MUSIC AWARDS
APPLICATIONS NOW OPEN!
Each year the finest of Folk Music is celebrated at the Ontario Folk Music Awards!
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This year, we will be honouring our nominees and winners at an awards gala on Wednesday, October 14th, 2026 in Hamilton, Ontario.
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To nominate yourself/your artist for an award(s), please visit the Award Eligibility Criteria Page and complete the form(s).
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There are nine categories for the 2026 Awards:
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Nominations Open to All:
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Song of the Year
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Colleen Peterson Songwriting Award
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Album of the Year
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Performing Artist of the Year Award
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Recording Artist of the Year Award
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Music Video of the Year Award
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Nominations Open to Folk Canada Members Only:
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Culture in Climate Award
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Estelle Klein Lifetime Achievement Award
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Estelle Klein Community Builder Award
2025 SONG OF THE YEAR
WINNER
"Best Remembered" - Savannah Shea
2025 ALBUM OF THE YEAR
WINNER
"Anniversary" - Abigail Lapell
2025 CULTURE IN CLIMATE AWARD
LAUREATE
Steven Dagenais
2025 COLLEEN PETERSON SONGWRITING AWARD
LAUREATE
"Maryanne" by Evan Rotella
2025 MUSIC VIDEO OF THE YEAR
WINNER
"Khayal" - Kazdoura
2025 RECORDING ARTIST OF THE YEAR
WINNER
Julian Taylor
2025 PERFORMING ARTIST OF THE YEAR
WINNER
Jessica Pearson and the East Wind
2025 ESTELLE KLEIN LAUREATES
LAUREATE
John and Michele Law
2024 AWARDS
CMRRA Song of the Year
The Pairs - 'Annie's Daughter'
Written by:
Renée Coughlin, Noelle Frances Coughlin, Hillary Watson
ACTRA RACS Recording Artist of the Year
Good Lovelies
Performing Artist of the Year
The Angelique Francis Band
Album of the Year
Payadora Tango Ensemble ft. Lenka Lichtenberg and Aviva Chernick - "The Last Yiddish Tango"
Estelle Klein Award
Year
Samir Baijal - Lifetime Achievement Award
Julie Schryer and Pat O'Gorman - Community Builder Award
Colleen Peterson Songwriting Award
Leah Holtom
Taylor Mitchell Bursary
Benjamin Vallee, Dante Ravenhurst, Talel McBriar, Magneson, J.D. Crosstown, Mitchell Makoons, Makinna Givens
2023 AWARDS
Describe your image
Describe your image
Describe your image
Describe your image
CMRRA Song of the Year
Barbra Lica - The Ghost of Me
ACTRA RACS Recording Artist of the Year
Aysanabee
Performing Artist of the Year
Julian Taylor
Album of the Year
Shakura S'Aida - Hold On To Love
Estelle Klein Award
Estelle Klein Lifetime Achievement Award: Erin Benjamin
Estelle Klein Community Builder Award: Treasa Levasseur
Colleen Peterson Songwriting Award
Just Prince
Taylor Mitchell Bursary
Adina Vlasov and Jack Gaughan (A Soft Place to Land), Cameron Summers, Emma Campbell, Francesca Panetta, Jessica Spurrell, Jessie Gosling, Irish Millie, Nicholas Campbell, Rebecca Hope, Vivian Forte
2022 AWARDS
CMRRA Song of the Year
Sultans of String, Mi Santuario
ACTRA RACS Recording Artist of the Year
Jaffa Road
Performing Artist of the Year
Amanda Rheaume
Album of the Year
Jeremy Voltz, Weekender
Estelle Klein Award Nominees
Ian Bell, Rodney Brown, Alfredo Caxaj, Brian Gladstone, Graham Lindsey, Lillian Wauthier, Lorie Adi Wolf, David Woodhead
Colleen Peterson Songwriting Award
Camie
Taylor Mitchell Bursary
Oddeline
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