John Hirsch Prize

Eligibility

This is a prize for emerging theatre directors. There is no age restriction for this prize. Individuals with no more than 10 years of experience as a professional theatre director working in any language can apply. The 10-year period is calculated from the application deadline date. Your application should demonstrate a history of professional theatre direction.

You must also be a Canadian citizen or have permanent resident status, as defined by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada. You do not need to be living in Canada.

You must also meet the Canada Council’s definition of a professional artist, which is an artist who:

• has specialized training in the artistic field of practice (not necessarily in academic institutions)
• is recognized as such by peers (artists working in the same artistic tradition)
• is committed to devoting more time to artistic activity, as financially possible
• has a history of public presentation.

The Canada Council is committed to equity and inclusion, and encourages applications and nominations from individuals, groups and organizations from culturally diverse, Deaf, disability, First Nations, Inuit and Métis and official language minority communities. The Canada Council is committed to reaffirming and revitalizing its relationship with First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples in Canada.  Measures are in place in all programs to support these commitments

Summary

The John Hirsch Prize was created in 1995 to recognize the artistic merit and potential of emerging theatre directors.

On his death in 1989, the distinguished theatre director John Hirsch left a bequest to the Canada Council to “aid and encourage young Canadian directors”. The John Hirsch Prize is a tribute to the extraordinary contribution Mr. Hirsch made to theatre in Canada, most notably as founder of the Manitoba Theatre Centre, head of television drama for the CBC and artistic director of the Stratford Festival.

Two prizes of $6,000 may be awarded, one in each of the English-language and French-language competitions.

Application deadlines

Program application deadline

Deadline: 5 October 2023

Guidelines

Application form (DOC)

You can submit an application to johnhirsch-prizes@canadacouncil.ca