Teen Honour in the Arts Awards

Teen Honour in the Arts Award 2023 - Finalists

The 49th annual Civic & Community Awards finalists will be celebrated on April 24 at the Civic & Community Awards Gala, taking place at the Laurel Packinghouse.

Ben Anderson 

With over 100 stage performances to his credit already, Ben Anderson has a bright future ahead. Since his debut, Ben has become one of the leaders in our local theatre companies. His 2023 lead roles at OKM included Gomez in The Addams Family Musical, Max in The Play That Goes Wrong, Ringmaster in Elephant’s Graveyard and soloist leading his section in the school’s Chamber Choir. At New Vintage Theatre, Ben directs and teaches youth drama classes and had lead roles in two 2023 productions. As a playwright, Ben won BC Drama Festival’s awards for Outstanding Writing, Best Directing and Best Performing for his play We Close at Nine. 

Cole Bach 

Having already earned the Royal Canadian Music’s A.R.C.T. distinction, Cole has begun composing high level music for classical ensembles, jazz bands, video games and film scores. Cole also plays tenor, alto and baritone saxophones, playing in every OKM music ensemble for the past three years. At BC Interior Jazz Festival, Okanagan Concert Band festival and the International Lionel Hampton Jazz festival, he received Golds in each ensemble plus two Outstanding Performer awards. In 2023, his school named him Soloist of the year, and in 2024, Cole will be attending Berklee College of Music on a four-year scholarship. 

Emily Brolund 

In Studio 9’s 2023 production of The Little Mermaid, Emily performed as Scuttle and worked behind the scenes. When her classmates were shorthanded backstage, she even helped with set changes between her scenes. Beyond the theatre, Emily has volunteered regularly at the RCA for their Arts Blast children’s camps and as a member of the Youth Arts Council. She also holds the RCA’s leadership position in the Artists of Kelowna Instagram Project, helping to recruit submissions and curate the Artist of Kelowna exhibition. Emily currently writes monthly articles for the City of Kelowna’s Creative Youth Program, sharing insights from a young artist’s perspective. 

The recipient of this award will receive a $500 entrance scholarship to UBC Okanagan.

Award Criteria

• Awarded to a youth who has made an outstanding contribution to Kelowna through cultural and/or artistic efforts.  
• Must be between the ages of 13 and 19 as of Dec. 31, 2023.
• Selections are based on the nominee's special accomplishments, contributions and awards for the year 2023.
• Past information may be included, but should primarily be regarding the current award year.
• Finalist selections are based solely on the information in the completed nomination package.

Nominations for the 49th annual Civic & Community Awards are now closed. Check back in fall 2024 for information about the 50th annual awards nomination period.