Richmond Hill 2018 Creativity Connected Award Winners

RICHMOND HILL – On Tuesday, November 6, Richmond Hill presented the 2018 Creativity Connected Awards to three recipients at the 8th annual Creative Industries Symposium. The Creativity Connected Awards recognize individuals and companies in Richmond Hill that demonstrate excellence in the creative industries field.

Creative Laureate – Rob Mather, The Curtain Club
The Creative Laureate is awarded to a creative business or individual that demonstrates leadership and capability in creative industries and has also invested in the industry’s growth. Rob Mather, President of The Curtain Club, is this year’s Creative Laureate award. For 65 years, The Curtain Club has provided quality theatre at an affordable price to the residents of Richmond Hill and has been recognized as a centre for developing artistic appreciation, creativity, personal growth and friendship. As a 100% volunteer organization, they are extremely proud of the many people who have volunteered their time and energy making The Curtain Club one of the best community theatres in Canada.

Emerging Creative Talent – Sharon Kirsh, Sharon Kirsh Art
The Emerging Creative Talent is awarded to a business or individual that exhibits leadership in originality and innovation in the creative industries field, while being considered emerging. Sharon Kirsh is the winner of the emerging Creative Talent award. Sharon is passionate about creating art which positively impacts people and their environment, through texture, colour and imagination. Sharon’s effort to progress and grow exemplifies what it means to be emerging. Sharon volunteers on committees to support the work of other artists and teaches art classes with the Town of Richmond Hill. Sharon considers her career as an artist not only an artistic passion, but also as a viable business. 

Best Creative Innovation – Brent Smiley, Compugen Finance Inc.
The Best Creative Innovation is awarded for a new innovation that results in business and community economic benefit. Brent Smiley, Director of IT Asset Disposition (ITAD) Programs at Compugen Finance, is the winner of Best Creative Innovation. Compugen Finance created an innovative groundbreaking program, Carbon Bank, to generate carbon credits from the refurbishment and resale of IT equipment. This innovation has resulted in the equivalent of over one million incandescent lamps being switched out for LED lights. They maintain a 92% reuse rate on the IT equipment they recover. Carbon Bank has supported 141 charities and donated $2.8 million to socially responsible programs. 

Learn more about the winners of the 2018 Creativity Connected Awards on Richmond Hill Economic Development’s YouTube channel.

Quick Facts

• The purpose of the Awards is to celebrate creativity and the power of ideas in all forms.
• Richmond Hill’s Economic Development Strategy showed that almost half of the labour force in Richmond Hill is employed in creative occupations.

Applications for the 2019 Creativity Connected Awards are accepted until September 15, 2019. The 9th annual Creative Industries Symposium will be Tuesday, November 12, 2019 at the Richmond Hill Centre for the Performing Arts. Visit RichmondHill.ca/CCawards for more information.

Media Contact 
For more information, please contact Martina Jedinak, Coordinator, Economic Development Programs, at 905-747-6382 or martina.jedinak@richmondhill.ca.