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
Wunder Creates Some Wonder.
December 10, 2025
Award-winning agency Wunder explored using AI to create a holiday ad campaign of its own. This was a response to the 2025 Coca Cola holiday message "Real Magic" as well as the state of AI in the Advertising industry. The result? "The TrAIn". A wholly ...
+ Read MoreTurning the table on Georgia Inerfield
December 3, 2025
Associate Creative Director Georgia Inerfield has spent the past decade shaping creative work across London, Toronto, and Vancouver. Now calling Vancouver home, she brings her strategic and imaginative touch to the team at Salt XC. This year, Georgi ...
+ Read MoreMarty Supreme's Big Orange Dream
November 27, 2025
Timothée Chalamet strikes an ironic pose as ping pong star Marty Mauzer showing off a box of Wheaties with his picture on it By Aria Novosedlik If you’ve been on YouTube lately and have a relatively well-adjusted algorithm controlling your f ...
+ Read MoreTurning the table on Steve Ierullo
November 26, 2025
Steve Ierullo is a globally awarded Art Director and Creative Director known for his passion for disrupting culture through bold, visually arresting work. Alongside his creative partner Hemal Dhanjee, Steve has been recognized by ADWEEK as one of th ...
+ 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.