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
Eyeball Hunting
March 6, 2026
By Aria Novosedlik It’s been a couple weeks (an eternity in Internet time) since the 60th Super Bowl, also known as the most coveted and expensive media event that money can buy. The news cycle, which begins about a week before showtime and ends a ...
+ Read MoreResults are in. 2026 Applied Arts Photography & Illustration Awards
March 4, 2026
The 2026 Applied Arts Photography & Illustration Awards are here. There’s no question—fresh creative energy is thriving. Our 15 Photography & Illustration Awards jurors were divided into panels, reviewing each entry digitally and indep ...
+ Read MorePart agency. Part influencer
March 3, 2026
What happens when a career agency creative stops waiting for approvals — and starts acting like an influencer? You get ADBOT. Founded by internationally awarded executive creative director Raul Garcia, ADBOT is a new kind of content creation stud ...
+ Read MoreInside Cossette’s Award-Winning AI Mentors
February 25, 2026
For many Black entrepreneurs, finding the right mentor can feel out of reach. Access to guidance, lived experience, and hard-earned wisdom isn’t always readily available—yet it can make all the difference. That’s exactly the gap Cossette tackle ...
+ 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.