The National Magazine Awards Foundation wishes to thank Gilbert Li, Vicki Lam and their team at The Office of Gilbert Li for creating and executing the look and feel of this year’s National Magazine Awards–including the gala program (right), tickets, stage design, and our social media design.
Thank you to our presenting sponsor, CDS Global, for their support of the National Magazine Awards gala. CDS Global has been a proud sponsor of the National Magazine Awards since 1989.
Thank you to our special guests at the 39th National Magazine Awards gala and those who sent special video messages to our nominees and winners:
Hon. Mélanie Joly, Minister of Canadian Heritage
Hon. Adam Vaughan, MP, Spadina-Fort York
Hon. Elizabeth May, MP, Saanich-Gulf Islands
Naheed Nenshi, Mayor of Calgary
Carolyn Vesely, Director of Granting, Ontario Arts Council
Matt Hilliard-Forde, Program Consultant, Ontario Media Development Corporation
Gillian Deacon, CBC Radio
Natalie Turvey, Executive Director, Canadian Journalism Foundation
Karen Luttrell, President, Professional Writers Association of Canada (Toronto)
Derek Finkle, Founder, Canadian Writers Group
Hon. Adam Vaughan, MP, Spadina-Fort York, addresses the audience at the 2016 National Magazine Awards
Carolyn Vesely of Ontario Arts Council with MC Chris Turner, presenting the award for Fiction at the 2016 National Magazine Awards
Matt Hilliard-Forde of OMDC presenting the award for Best Magazine Cover at the 2016 National Magazine Awards
Thank you to all our sponsors and partners for their enthusiastic support of the NMAs and Canadian magazine creators.
Thank you to the team at Very Good Studios for their production of the gala including the multimedia show and the popular Smash Reel of nominated Canadian magazines, which you can view on our YouTube channel.
Thank you to the National Magazine Awards judges, our peers in Canadian magazines and media, more than 230 who volunteered their time and expertise to evaluate the submissions this year.
Emily M. Keeler, NMA judge and founding editor of Little Brother Magazine, presents the award for Humour
NMA judge Carmine Starnino with poetry nominee Michael Prior
NMA judge and 4-time NMA winner Danielle Groen presents the award for Best Short Feature
Thank you to our incredible Master of Ceremonies–Chris Turner–for an entertaining evening and a masterful performance on stage.
Thank you to our wonderful staff and our Board of Directors for their hard work and guidance.
Thank you to Steven Goetz, our event photographer for this year’s National Magazine Awards. Check out the 2016 NMA photo gallery on our Facebook Page.
Thank you to all who supported the 39th National Magazine Awards:
Program Editor: Richard A. Johnson Campaign Art Direction & Design: The Office of Gilbert Li Campaign Photography & Styling: Vicki Lam Printing: Transcontinental Printing Paper: Rolland Enterprises Translation: Émilie Pontbriand Copy Editing: Leah Edwards, Kira Wronska Dorward, Éloïse Pontbriand Multimedia Production: YellowHouse Events Volunteer Coordination: Leah Jensen Audiovisual Production: CCR Solutions Smash Reel Montage: Very Good Studios Multimedia Assistants: Eny Kuen, Olesya Zimina Outstanding Achievement Award Photography: Aaron McKenzie Fraser President Photography: Jared Sych Master of Ceremonies Photography: Ashley Bristowe Event Photography: Steven Goetz News Release Distribution: CNW Group Chartered Accountants: Beckett Lowden Read, LLP Caterer: Oliver & Bonacini Venue: The Arcadian Court, Toronto
Special thanks to our hardworking event volunteers.
It was a night to remember! The NMAF has announced the winners of the 39th annual National Magazine Awards, concluding an exciting evening celebrating Canadian creators at the Arcadian Court in Toronto–hosted by author Chris Turner–with more than 400 of Canada’s best writers, artists, editors, art directors, publishers and others in attendance. The NMAF presented Gold, Silver and Honourable Mention awards in 39 categories. More than $50,000 in cash prizes has been awarded to Canadian creators.
Jennifer Varkonyi, Publisher Haley Cullingham, Daniel Viola, Editors Anna Minzhulina, Art Director
Published by Maisonneuve Magazine Association
Maisonneuve fulfills its bold mandate of “banishing boring,” clearly striving to engage, inform and inspire. From its refreshing and imaginative art direction to its passionate editorial voice, the magazine feels like its constantly evolving, yet at the same time seems to connect with a sense of familiarity with its readers.
–National Magazine Awards jury
Best New Magazine Photographer Marta Iwanek The Maidan Maisonneuve
Foundation Award for Outstanding Achievement Kim Pittaway
Renowned journalist, editor, teacher and mentor Kim Pittaway is the recipient of the 2016 Foundation Award for Outstanding Achievement, recognizing career excellence and service to the Canadian magazine industry. For her enduring dedication to the Canadian magazine industry, for the principled leadership and mentorship that has impacted the careers of many, and for her unfailing support of magazine creators, the NMAF is proud to recognize Kim Pittaway with its highest individual honour.
Words & Pictures Sponsored byCDS Global Our Ever-Changing Moods The Walrus Jillian Tamaki, Author & Illustrator Jonathan Kay, Editor Brian Morgan, Art Director
Single Service Article Package VÉGÉ Inspiré Ricardo Brigitte Coutu, Editor Caroline Blanchette, Art Director Mélanie Roy, Émilie Folie-Boivin, Sarah Lalanne, Authors David de Stefano, Photographer Caroline Nault, Heidi Bronstein, Contributors
Infographics David Chau, Creator Craig Battle, Editor GR!#K Sportsnet
“The most important mission of the National Magazine Awards is to celebrate Canadian creators. And tonight we have reached a new milestone in recognizing and rewarding excellence to more than 300 nominees and 70 gold and silver winners at the 39th annual NMA gala. The National Magazine Awards are one of Canada’s most important cultural institutions, and even as we celebrate our 39th year we are looking forward to our 40th anniversary and beyond.”
—Joyce Byrne, president of the NMAF
Fashion For my 10th birthday… ELLE Canada Owen Bruce, Photographer Brittany Eccles, Art Director Juliana Schiavinatto, Stylist Contributors: Denis Desro, Liisa Winkler, Stella Winkler, Juliann H, Hannah D, Sam F, Judith Maria Bradley, Susana Hong, Simone Otis, Suzanne Campos
Homes & Gardens Martin Tessler, Photographer Paul Roelofs, Art Director Nicole Sjöstedt, Stylist The Comeback Western Living
ABOUT THE 39th ANNUAL NATIONAL MAGAZINE AWARDS More than 400 members of the Canadian magazine industry—publishers, editors, art directors, writers, photographers, illustrators, circulators and more—joined esteemed sponsors and other guests at the Arcadian Court for the 39th annual National Magazine Awards gala, presented by CDS Global.
Special guests were in abundance at the 39th annual National Magazine Awards. Minister of Canadian Heritage Mélanie Joly delivered a tribute via video to the evening’s nominees and winners, acknowledging the important role of Canadian magazine creators in nurturing Canadian culture. Member of Parliament Adam Vaughan of Toronto attended and delivered a welcome message to the guests, celebrating the nominees in attendance. And Member of Parliament and Green Party Leader Elizabeth May, radio host Gillian Deacon and Calgary Mayor Naheed Nenshi each delivered messages via video congratulating the nominees and winners.
The NMAF was also honoured to welcome Carolyn Vesely of Ontario Arts Council, who presented the award for Fiction; Matt Hilliard-Forde of the Ontario Media Development Corporation, who presented the award for Magazine Covers; Natalie Turvey of the Canadian Journalism Foundation, who presented the award for Investigative Reporting; Karen Luttrell of the Professional Writers Association of Canada, who presented the award for Society; and Derek Finkle of the Canadian Writers Group, who presented the award for One of a Kind.
This year, 184 Canadian magazines from coast to coast to coast—English and French, print and digital—entered the best of their editorial and design to the National Magazine Awards, submitting the work of more than 3000 writers, editors, photographers, illustrators, art directors and other creators. The NMAF’s 232 volunteer judges nominated a total of 309 submissions from 84 different Canadian magazines for awards in 39 written, visual, integrated and special categories. A record 12 magazines were nominated for the first time. More than $50,000 in cash prizes has been awarded to Canadian creators.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS The NMAF gratefully acknowledges the support its sponsors, partners and suppliers.
THANK YOU CHRIS TURNER! The NMAF (and all guests of the National Magazine Awards) are grateful to Chris Turner for his wonderful performance tonight as host of the 39th National Magazine Awards!
Chris Turner is the author of five books and one of Canada’s leading writers and speakers on energy and sustainability. His bestsellers The Leap and The Geography of Hope were both National Business Book Award finalists. His most recent book is How to Breathe Underwater, an essay collection, which won the W.O. Mitchell City of Calgary Book Prize. His feature writing has won nine National Magazine Awards.
PHOTOS, VIDEOS, INTERVIEW & MORE Check back next week for photos, videos and more from the 39th annual National Magazine Awards gala.
ABOUT THE NATIONAL MAGAZINE AWARDS FOUNDATION The National Magazine Awards Foundation is a bilingual, not-for-profit institution whose mission is to foster, recognize and promote editorial excellence in Canadian publications. The annual awards are presented in June and are followed by a year-long national publicity effort and professional development opportunities. Our mandate is to support Canadian creators. Since 1977, the NMAF has helped build and sustain the careers of thousands of creators—the writers, editors, creative directors and visual artists who contribute to the vast ecosystem of Canadian culture. On June 9, the NMAF presented the first annual Digital Publishing Awards recognizing excellence in Canadian digital publications. Discover more at magazine-awards.com.
What: The 39th National Magazine Awards Where: The Arcadian Court, 401 Bay Street, Simpson Tower, 8th Floor, Toronto [MAP] When: 6:00pm (Reception); 7:30pm (Awards presentation) Why: To recognize and celebrate excellence in the content and creation of Canadian magazines.
Have a ticket?
If you purchased a ticket and did not request it to be mailed, you can pick up your ticket at the Will-Call tables at the top of the elevators at the Arcadian Court. Judges may also pick up their tickets here.
Need a ticket?
Tickets are available for purchase at the door: $165 (+HST) for regular tickets (includes dinner); $75 (+HST) for show-only tickets. Cash or Credit Card accepted.
Not able to come?
Follow our twitter handle @MagAwards and #NMA16for live tweets throughout the show. Keep it right here on this blog for a full recap of the awards and all the winners (sometime after 10pm ET).
11 Tips for a Successful #NMA16 Gala
Drink tickets are available for purchase in the main foyer during the show.
Dinner will be served during the Smash Reel.
Washrooms are through the foyer and to your left as you exit.
The biggest week in Canadian magazines is finally here, and between now and the exciting grand finale–Friday’s National Magazine Awards–there’s a lot going on for Canada’s top magazine publishers, editors, art directors and creators who are gathering from all over the country here in Toronto for a big week ahead: Canadian Magazine Week. #CdnMagWeek#NMA16
MagNet Marquee Time: 5:30pm Place: Marriott Courtyard, 475 Yonge St. About: Canada’s annual magazine conference–MagNet–kicks off with the afternoon marquee. This year’s keynote speaker is digital revenue maestro Jay Lauf, SVP of Atlantic Media and President/Publisher of Quartz.
62nd annual Canadian Business Media Awards In Memory of Kenneth R. Wilson Time: 6:30pm Place: Grand Banking Hall, Hotel One King West About: Join Master of Ceremonies D.B. Scott for the annual celebration and recognition of the best in Canadian Business-to-Business media. Top nominees include CPA Magazine, University Affairs, Marketing, Professionally Speaking, Precedent, The Medical Post, and Foodservice & Hospitality. The finalists for Magazine of the Year are BC Business, Marketing, and The Medical Post. Tickets.
WEDNESDAY JUNE 8
MagNet Conference Time: All Day Place: Marriott Courtyard, 475 Yonge St. About: Canada’s annual magazines conference, presented by Magazines Canada, launches its first of two full days of sessions.
CDS Global Circulator & CMC Awards Time: 5:00pm Place: Marriott Courtyard, 475 Yonge St. About: Presented by the Circulation Management Association of Canada (CMC) following its AGM, with the generous support of CDS Global, the “Circulator” is the perfect time to relax and talk about the first day of MagNet. Awards will be presented in the field of circulation, including the Outstanding Achievement Award and Volunteer of the Year.
CSME Editors’ Choice Awards Time: 6:00pm Place: Marriott Courtyard, 475 Yonge St. About: The Canadian Society of Magazine Editors (CSME) welcomes its members to its annual awards ceremony, recognizing outstanding work by Canada’s magazine editors. The top prize is the Editor of the Year award.
THURSDAY JUNE 9
MagNet Conference Time: All Day Place: Marriott Courtyard, 475 Yonge St. About: Day two of Canada’s annual magazines conference, presented by Magazines Canada.
MagNet Squared
Time: 5:00pm
Place: Marriott Courtyard, 475 Yonge St.
About: A networking reception closes out the two-day MagNet conference. Stop for a break and join MagNeteers from across all regions and sectors of the Canadian magazine media industry for hors d’oeuvres and cocktails.
2016 Digital Publishing Awards Time: 7:00pm Place: Portland Room, Spoke Club, 600 King Street West About: Host Chris Frey welcomes Canada’s top digital publishers and digital media creators to the inaugural Digital Publishing Awards, recognizing excellence in 14 categories including Best Online Video, Best Podcast Series, Best Digital Design, Best Feature Story, and Best Digital Initiative. Top nominees include Maclean’s, CBCNews.ca, The Globe and Mail, Toronto Star, Toronto Life, BuzzFeed Canada and Sportsnet. The 5 finalists for Digital Publication of the Year are Canadian Business, CBCNews.ca, L’actualite, Maclean’s and Toronto Life. Tickets.
FRIDAY JUNE 10
39th annual National Magazine Awards Time: 6:00pm Place: Arcadian Court, 401 Bay Street About: Hundreds of Canada’s top magazine journalists will recognize the best in their field at the National Magazine Awards gala–celebrating Canadian creators. Master of Ceremonies Chris Turner–author, public speaker and 9-time NMA winner–will host this year’s big event, where top nominees like Toronto Life, Canadian Geographic, Maclean’s, L’actualite, Maisonneuve, Report on Business, Cottage Life, The Walrus and Eighteen Bridges as well as dozens of nominated writers and artists will be in attendance. (There’s still time to vote for the People’s Choice winner for Best Magazine Cover.) The finalists for Magazine of the Year are Canadian Geographic, Caribou, Maisonneuve and Nouveau Projet. Tickets
“I’m giddily excited to get the opportunity to host this year’s National Magazine Awards. To win an NMA is one of the great honours in Canadian media, and to be able to hand them out to deserving creators will be such an honour and delight. Plus, as a freelancer and a western Canadian, I rarely get the chance to attend the country’s best magazine industry party — and this time I’m optimistic I’ll get a good seat!”
Chris Turner is the author of five books and one of Canada’s leading writers and speakers on energy and sustainability. His bestsellers The Leap and The Geography of Hope were both National Business Book Award finalists. His most recent book is How to Breathe Underwater, an essay collection, which won the W.O. Mitchell City of Calgary Book Prize. His feature writing has won nine National Magazine Awards. Turner was a 2013 Berton House writer-in-residence in Dawson City, Yukon, and a 2010 Paul D. Fleck Fellow at the Banff Centre. He lives in Calgary with his wife and two children. His book THE PATCH, the definitive story of Alberta’s oil sands, will be published in Canada and internationally by Simon & Schuster in 2017.
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Tickets are on sale now for the 39th annual National Magazine Awards gala, June 10, 2016 at the Arcadian Court in Toronto.
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The early-bird deadline for discounted ticket prices is Friday May 20.
The NMAF is excited to pass along the news that the creative design from the 2015 National Magazine Awards has won a Communications Arts Award and will be featured in the Comm Arts Typography Annual due out early 2016.
This year’s design was created by the incredible team at Monnet Design, and the NMAF congratulates and offers its sincere and enduring gratitude to Stéphane Monnet, Agnes Wong and the entire team at Monnet for their work.
The National Magazine Awards Foundation wishes to thank Stéphane Monnet, Agnes Wong and their team at Monnet Design for creating and executing the look and feel of this year’s National Magazine Awards.
Thank you to our presenting sponsor, CDS Global, for their support of the National Magazine Awards gala. CDS Global has been a proud sponsor of the National Magazine Awards since 1989.
Thank you to all our sponsors and partners for their enthusiastic support of the NMAs and Canadian magazines.
Thank you to the team at Relay Experience for their production of the gala including the multimedia show and the popular Smash Reel of nominated Canadian magazines, which you can view on our YouTube channel.
Thank you to the National Magazine Awards judges, our peers in Canadian magazines and media, more than 200 who volunteered their time and expertise to evaluate the submissions this year.
Thank you to our gala Masters of Ceremonies — Lainey Lui & Jessica Allen — of CTV’s The Socialfor their witty, ebullient and otherwise unforgettable performance as hosts (and for arranging a hilarious cameo by Scott Feschuk). And thank you to our gala guests, more than 450 who enjoyed this year’s show at our new venue, the Arcadian Court in Toronto.
Thank you to our wonderful staff and our Board of Directors for their hard work and guidance.
Thank you to KlixPix, which supplied the event photography of this year’s National Magazine Awards. Here’s a sampling of their work; more is available on our Facebook Page.
Thank you to all who supported the 38th National Magazine Awards:
The National Magazine Awards Foundation wishes to thank Gilbert Li, Vicki Lam and their team at The Office of Gilbert Li for creating and executing the look and feel of this year’s National Magazine Awards–including the gala program (right), tickets, stage design, and our social media design.
Renowned journalist, editor, teacher and mentor Kim Pittaway is the recipient of the 2016 
David Chau, Creator
Special guests were in abundance at the 39
The NMAF (and all guests of the National Magazine Awards) are grateful to Chris Turner for his wonderful performance tonight as host of the 39th National Magazine Awards!
What: The 39th National Magazine Awards
The 
