For over 35 years, Applied Arts Media has been the go-to destination for creative advice, insight and inspiration. The Applied Arts Awards celebrate innovative creativity, and capture the current visual arts landscape in Canada and beyond.
Creative Excellence. Celebrated.
The Applied Arts celebrate creativity in visual communications. Since 1992, we've helped advertising agencies, design firms, photographers, illustrators, and emerging artists gain industry-wide exposure—building careers, collaborations, and community across Canada and beyond.
All Entries are judged by an Internationally recognized jury of award-winning professionals who are actively working in advertising and design.
Winning work is showcased: in Applied Arts magazine, online in the Winners Gallery and archive, and shared across social media.
Winning work is showcased in Applied Arts magazine, online Winners Gallery and archive and shared across our social channels.
Opportunities for every stage
- Young Professionals: Explore Young Blood categories—open to entrants with under five years of professional experience in advertising or design, and under three years for Photography and Illustration.
- Small-Community/Business Professionals: Exclusively for CANADIAN creators in smaller markets or single-establishments. Small Community categories weigh local resources and budgets during judging.
- Students: If you're currently in secondary, post-secondary or graduate studies, you're only eligible for the Student Awards, where entries are judged alongside peers at a similar level.
News
The Creative Industry Today Series: Part 8 — Matt Barnes
May 5, 2026
2025 Applied Arts Photography Awards winning image "Napoleon Dynamite for Ore Ida Tatter Tots" by Matt Barnes in the Advertising Photography category. As the creative industry evolves through new tools and faster workflows, photographer and direct ...
+ Read MoreThe Creative Industry Today Series: Part 7 — Mike Butler
May 4, 2026
2024 Applied Arts Advertising Awards winning campaign by VML Canada, "The Prideless Flag" We spoke with Mike Butler, Head of Branding and Design at VML Canada, about his perspective on today’s creative landscape. With a practice spanning brandin ...
+ Read MoreCreatively Defiant
May 4, 2026
By Will Novosedlik WHEN YOU COME ACROSS A DESIGN PRACTICE WITH A NAME LIKE CREATIVE DEFIANCE, YOU EXPECT TO BE CHALLENGED. You expect to be made uncomfortable. You expect a rebellious spirit. The designer behind the name, Chaz Maviyane-Davies, d ...
+ Read MoreThe Creative Industry Today Series: Part 6 — Dale Hayward
May 3, 2026
2025 Applied Arts Advertising Awards multiple award-winning campaign "Hanging by a Thread". For over two decades, Dale Hayward has built a career in stop motion—moving between directing, producing, and educating while helping ideas travel from s ...
+ Read MoreCurrent Issue
Discover the standout work from the 2025 Advertising & Student Awards competitions! This year's winners showcase creative excellence across the industry—established advertising pros and emerging student artists alike—spanning advertising, design, interactive, and image-based work. Dive into more than 350 winning projects across 150+ pages of inspiration. Find yourself inspired? Explore the possibilities of a fulfilling career in the creative industries in the Creative Futures Schools guide.
Click here for more information about the issue or for a list of our stockists.