PURPOSE OF THE AWARD
The Muskoka Heritage Foundation is committed to the preservation and conservation of the history, culture, environment, and quality of life that define the remarkable identity of Muskoka.

The Muskoka Heritage Foundation’s Arts & Crafts Award was established in 2004 and is intended to highlight the significance of Muskoka’s distinctive and noteworthy environment and to celebrate our varied experience within this region.

THE AWARD
The award consists of a $250, a certificate, and a one-year membership in the Muskoka Heritage Foundation. The Board of Directors for the Muskoka Heritage Foundation will consider the amount of the award on an annual basis.

CRITERIA & ELIGIBILITY OF THE AWARD
The Muskoka Heritage Foundation’s Arts & Crafts Award is given to recognize a member of Muskoka Arts & Crafts who shows a mastery of his or her art and who creates an original and innovative work that best reflects the values of the Muskoka Heritage Foundation. The award will be selected from those works submitted to Muskoka Arts & Crafts’ Spring Members’ Show. To be considered, all work must have been completed within the past year and may not have been previously exhibited in any Spring Members’ Show. Work in all visual arts media that is eligible for the Spring Members’ Show will be considered.

The recipient of the award will be selected by the judges appointed by the Board of Directors for Muskoka Arts & Crafts. In considering work to receive this award, the judges may take into account subject matter, treatment, importance of the subject, and timeliness. The decisions of the judges are final. The award will be presented by a representative from the Muskoka Heritage Foundation during the Awards Presentation at the Spring Members’ Show.

2011 THEME - International Year of the Forests
2011 has been declared the International Year of Forests. The United Nations made this declaration to raise awareness of sustainable management, conservation and development of all types of forests.   

In Muskoka where the economy and the environment are mutually dependent, the health of our forests is of utmost importance. The trees and forests of Muskoka provide many ecosystem services and our natural areas are the foremost reason tourists visit.  

With increased awareness of the importance of our forests and the responsible and careful use of the natural environment, we can all become good stewards of the Muskoka we cherish. Environmental stewardship means taking good care of the land, water and trees, and it requires sound planning and informed choices. The Muskoka Heritage Foundation champions environmental stewardship in Muskoka.  

In 2011, the Muskoka Heritage Foundation will present its award at the Muskoka Arts & Crafts spring show to the artist whose work best represents the stewardship of Muskoka’s forests.

 ABOUT THE MUSKOKA HERITAGE FOUNDATION
The Muskoka Heritage Foundation is a non-profit, charitable organization dedicated to the conservation of the built heritage and natural areas that define the distinct identity of Muskoka.

To achieve its goal, the Muskoka Heritage Foundation works through four initiative areas.

• The Natural Heritage Committee conserves natural areas by encouraging private land stewardship. In the first ten years, the Foundation acquired a voluntary commitment from 340 private landowners in Muskoka to protect more than 31,000 acres of diverse Muskoka landscape including 51 miles of shoreline. Today, information and assistance is provided to private landowners on ways to conserve the natural amenities of their property
• The Muskoka Heritage Trust offers permanent protection for exceptional natural lands. The concept of land trusts is gaining wide acceptance. Recent legislation has given more power to people wishing to establish conservation easements on their land, preserving its natural condition in perpetuity.
• The Built Heritage Program encourages the preservation and appreciation of historical structures, sites and artifacts by providing information and recognizing private stewards. Property owners are encouraged to protect the heritage features of their properties. An annual Stewardship Award program recognizes this commitment. Muskoka has a wealth of community groups interested in protecting our cultural heritage and this program also encourage partnering and a forum for cooperation.
• The Muskoka Watershed Council is committed to the enhancement of the health and sustainability of those watersheds lying partially or totally within the District of Muskoka.

In addition, the Muskoka Heritage Foundation operates a conservation information centre that is open to the public, at its office located at 9 Taylor Road in Bracebridge. The organization provides workshops on stewardship, and partners with other organizations of similar interests. These include The Parry Sound Muskoka Stewardship Network, the Ontario Nature Trust Alliance, Ducks Unlimited, local municipalities, and the Federation of Ontario Naturalists to mention a few.

Funding for the Muskoka Heritage Foundation comes from four areas:

• Annual membership fees from a membership of individuals, foundations, and corporations;
• Donations;
• Fundraising events (such as an annual cruise and silent auction; Scotch nosing; summer garden tour; and fees from stewardship workshops);
• Project grants from foundations and government.

 

The Muskoka Heritage Foundation
9 Taylor Road, Box 482, Bracebridge, Ontario, P1L 1T8
Telephone: 705-645-7393 Fax: 705-645-7888
E-mail: info@muskokaheritage.org 
Web Site: www.muskokaheritage.org