National Magazine Awards Foundation
Encyclopedia
The National Magazine Awards Foundation (NMAF) is a bilingual, not-for-profit institution whose mission is to recognize excellence in the content and creation of Canadian magazines through an annual program of awards. The National Magazine Awards gala takes place each June in Toronto
. Each year the NMAF receives more than 2000 submissions and relies on over 200 volunteer judges to evaluate the entries and award gold and silver winners in 40 categories.
A 15-member board of directors
drawn from the Canadian magazine industry governs the NMAF. The current president of the board of directors of the NMAF is Patrick Walsh
, editor of the magazine Outdoor Canada.
at the University of Western Ontario
(UWO), was trying to revive the university’s recently defunct President’s Medal for Canadian Magazine Journalism. His original idea was to create a new award divided into English and French counterparts. But MacFarlane eventually developed a proposal for a series of magazine awards, whose salient features were that the program would be bilingual — and therefore truly national — and would recognize individual excellence in the many aspects of the magazine industry — writers, illustrators, editors
, photographers and art directors.
MacFarlane together with John S. Crosbie, president of the Magazine Association of Canada, secured the participation of the Canadian Periodical Publishers Association (CPPA), representing 193 Canadian magazines, and CPPA’s former president Michael de Pencier
. MacFarlane reached out to his counterpart at Université Laval
, Roger de la Garde, Alan Edmunds, head of the Periodical Writers Association of Canada (PWAC), and veteran newsman Pierre Berton
, among others. As the collective effort began to take shape across the country, by the spring of 1977 the National Magazine Awards had developed a clear mandate.
On November 14, 1977, National Magazine Awards Foundation received its charter of non-profit foundation status from the Province of Ontario.
Pierre Berton emceed the event, where the 660 guests dined and danced to Jack Collins
and his five-piece band. Before presenting the awards, Berton proclaimed to the audience, “In a bold departure from tradition, there are to be no thank you speeches. We can do that because we are giving money, not some cheap statuette.” If any winner started to talk on stage, Berton reportedly waved a large hook in the speaker’s direction.
Awards were handed down in 14 categories (with separate French- and English-language winners for the President’s Award for General Magazine Articles). 11 different magazines won awards. The NMAF also honoured outstanding achievement by a magazine: L'actualité
(French) and Harrowsmith (English) took the awards.
is the all-time leader in awards, with 129 gold awards. Toronto Life
magazine leads all current publications with 97 gold awards. Writer Robert Fulford is the all-time individual leader with 13 gold awards.
Written Categories:
Arts & Entertainment;
Best Short Feature
Business;
Columns;
Editorial Package;
Essays;
Fiction;
Health & Medicine;
How-To;
Humour;
Investigative Reporting;
One of a Kind;
Personal Journalism;
Poetry;
Politics & Public Interest;
Profiles;
Science, Technology & Environment;
Service – Lifestyle;
Service – Health & Family;
Service – Personal Finance & Business;
Society;
Sports & Recreation;
Travel.
Integrated Categories:
Best Single Issue;
Magazine Covers;
Editorial Packaging – Single Service Article;
Words & Pictures.
Visual Categories:
Art Direction – Entire Issue;
Art Direction – Single Article;
Fashion & Beauty;
Homes & Gardens;
Illustration;
Photojournalism & Photo Essay;
Portrait Photography;
Spot Illustration;
Still-Life Photography.
Special Categories:
Best New Magazine Writer;
Best Student Writer;
Foundation Award for Outstanding Achievement;
Magazine of the Year.
Toronto
Toronto is the provincial capital of Ontario and the largest city in Canada. It is located in Southern Ontario on the northwestern shore of Lake Ontario. A relatively modern city, Toronto's history dates back to the late-18th century, when its land was first purchased by the British monarchy from...
. Each year the NMAF receives more than 2000 submissions and relies on over 200 volunteer judges to evaluate the entries and award gold and silver winners in 40 categories.
A 15-member board of directors
Board of directors
A board of directors is a body of elected or appointed members who jointly oversee the activities of a company or organization. Other names include board of governors, board of managers, board of regents, board of trustees, and board of visitors...
drawn from the Canadian magazine industry governs the NMAF. The current president of the board of directors of the NMAF is Patrick Walsh
Patrick Walsh
Patrick Walsh was an American politician and journalist.Walsh was born in Ballingarry, County Limerick, Ireland. With his parents he emigrated in 1852 to Charleston, South Carolina, where he was apprenticed to a printer...
, editor of the magazine Outdoor Canada.
History
In 1976 Andrew MacFarlane, Dean of JournalismJournalism
Journalism is the practice of investigation and reporting of events, issues and trends to a broad audience in a timely fashion. Though there are many variations of journalism, the ideal is to inform the intended audience. Along with covering organizations and institutions such as government and...
at the University of Western Ontario
University of Western Ontario
The University of Western Ontario is a public research university located in London, Ontario, Canada. The university's main campus covers of land, with the Thames River cutting through the eastern portion of the main campus. Western administers its programs through 12 different faculties and...
(UWO), was trying to revive the university’s recently defunct President’s Medal for Canadian Magazine Journalism. His original idea was to create a new award divided into English and French counterparts. But MacFarlane eventually developed a proposal for a series of magazine awards, whose salient features were that the program would be bilingual — and therefore truly national — and would recognize individual excellence in the many aspects of the magazine industry — writers, illustrators, editors
Editors
Editors are a British indie rock band based in Birmingham, who formed in 2002. Previously known as Pilot, The Pride and Snowfield, the band consists of Tom Smith , Chris Urbanowicz , Russell Leetch and Ed Lay .Editors have so far released two platinum studio...
, photographers and art directors.
MacFarlane together with John S. Crosbie, president of the Magazine Association of Canada, secured the participation of the Canadian Periodical Publishers Association (CPPA), representing 193 Canadian magazines, and CPPA’s former president Michael de Pencier
Michael de Pencier
Michael Christian de Pencier, CM, OOnt, B.A., M.A., LL.D. is an entrepreneur, environmental investor, and publisher. He is the grandson of Adam de Pencier and brother-in-law of Richard A. N. Bonnycastle....
. MacFarlane reached out to his counterpart at Université Laval
Université Laval
Laval University is the oldest centre of education in Canada and was the first institution in North America to offer higher education in French...
, Roger de la Garde, Alan Edmunds, head of the Periodical Writers Association of Canada (PWAC), and veteran newsman Pierre Berton
Pierre Berton
Pierre Francis de Marigny Berton, was a noted Canadian author of non-fiction, especially Canadiana and Canadian history, and was a well-known television personality and journalist....
, among others. As the collective effort began to take shape across the country, by the spring of 1977 the National Magazine Awards had developed a clear mandate.
On November 14, 1977, National Magazine Awards Foundation received its charter of non-profit foundation status from the Province of Ontario.
The first awards
There were more than 1300 entries to the first National Magazine Awards for the year 1977. 62 judges evaluated the entries and awarded winners in 14 categories. The first National Magazine Awards gala was held on Thursday, May 11, 1978 at the Hotel Toronto.Pierre Berton emceed the event, where the 660 guests dined and danced to Jack Collins
Jack Collins
Jack Collins may refer to:In Australia:* Jack A. Collins , Australian rules footballer for Melbourne* Jack L. Collins , Australian rules footballer for Geelong* Jack C...
and his five-piece band. Before presenting the awards, Berton proclaimed to the audience, “In a bold departure from tradition, there are to be no thank you speeches. We can do that because we are giving money, not some cheap statuette.” If any winner started to talk on stage, Berton reportedly waved a large hook in the speaker’s direction.
Awards were handed down in 14 categories (with separate French- and English-language winners for the President’s Award for General Magazine Articles). 11 different magazines won awards. The NMAF also honoured outstanding achievement by a magazine: L'actualité
L'actualité
L'actualité is a Canadian French-language news and general interest magazine published in Montreal by Les Éditions Rogers, which is owned by Rogers Communications. The magazine has over a million readers, according to Canada's Print Measurement Bureau, from its circulation which is mainly...
(French) and Harrowsmith (English) took the awards.
Major winners of the National Magazine Awards
The now-defunct Saturday NightSaturday Night (magazine)
Saturday Night was a Canadian general interest magazine. It was founded in Toronto, Ontario in 1887.The publication was first established as a weekly broadsheet newspaper about public affairs and the arts, which was later expanded into a general interest magazine. The editor, Edmund E. Sheppard,...
is the all-time leader in awards, with 129 gold awards. Toronto Life
Toronto Life
Toronto Life is a monthly Canadian magazine about entertainment, politics and life in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Toronto Life also publishes a number of annual special interest guides about the city, including Home Decor, Stylebook, Eating & Drinking, Real Estate and Weddings. Established in 1966,...
magazine leads all current publications with 97 gold awards. Writer Robert Fulford is the all-time individual leader with 13 gold awards.
Categories
The NMAF has a total of 40 awards categories: 23 written, 4 integrated, 9 visual, and 4 special awards.Written Categories:
Arts & Entertainment;
Best Short Feature
Business;
Columns;
Editorial Package;
Essays;
Fiction;
Health & Medicine;
How-To;
Humour;
Investigative Reporting;
One of a Kind;
Personal Journalism;
Poetry;
Politics & Public Interest;
Profiles;
Science, Technology & Environment;
Service – Lifestyle;
Service – Health & Family;
Service – Personal Finance & Business;
Society;
Sports & Recreation;
Travel.
Integrated Categories:
Best Single Issue;
Magazine Covers;
Editorial Packaging – Single Service Article;
Words & Pictures.
Visual Categories:
Art Direction – Entire Issue;
Art Direction – Single Article;
Fashion & Beauty;
Homes & Gardens;
Illustration;
Photojournalism & Photo Essay;
Portrait Photography;
Spot Illustration;
Still-Life Photography.
Special Categories:
Best New Magazine Writer;
Best Student Writer;
Foundation Award for Outstanding Achievement;
Magazine of the Year.
Magazine of the Year
Each year the National Magazine Awards concludes with the naming of Canada’s Magazine of the Year. Previous winners are:- 1982: Equinox
- 1983: Vancouver MagazineVancouver MagazineVancouver Magazine is an English-language lifestyle magazine focused on Vancouver, British Columbia and the Lower Mainland.Vancouver Magazine describes its mission as informing, guiding and entertaining residents of a "dynamic, international city."...
- 1984: Saturday NightSaturday Night (magazine)Saturday Night was a Canadian general interest magazine. It was founded in Toronto, Ontario in 1887.The publication was first established as a weekly broadsheet newspaper about public affairs and the arts, which was later expanded into a general interest magazine. The editor, Edmund E. Sheppard,...
- 1985: Toronto LifeToronto LifeToronto Life is a monthly Canadian magazine about entertainment, politics and life in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Toronto Life also publishes a number of annual special interest guides about the city, including Home Decor, Stylebook, Eating & Drinking, Real Estate and Weddings. Established in 1966,...
- 1986: Quill & QuireQuill & QuireQuill & Quire, a Canadian magazine about the book and publishing industry, was launched in 1935 and has an average circulation of 5,000 copies per issue, but its publisher claims a readership of 25,000...
- 1987: Report on Business MagazineReport on BusinessReport on Business, commonly referred to as simply ROB, is the financial section of The Globe and Mail, a large Toronto-based Canadian newspaper. It is the most lengthy completion of economic news in Canada, and is considered an integral part of the newspaper...
- 1988: Applied Arts Quarterly
- 1989: Toronto LifeToronto LifeToronto Life is a monthly Canadian magazine about entertainment, politics and life in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Toronto Life also publishes a number of annual special interest guides about the city, including Home Decor, Stylebook, Eating & Drinking, Real Estate and Weddings. Established in 1966,...
- 1990: West Magazine
- 1991: Idler
- 1992: Cottage Life
- 1993: Owl and ChickadeeChickadee (magazine)Chickadee is a Canadian children's magazine. It was founded in 1979 as a spin-off of OWL Magazine geared towards younger readers....
- 1994: Canadian ArtCanadian artCanadian art refers to the visual as well as plastic arts originating from the geographical area of contemporary Canada...
- 1995: Canadian House & Home
- 1996: Canadian LivingCanadian LivingCanadian Living is a monthly Canadian lifestyle magazine, which publishes articles relating to food, fashion, crafts, and health and family advice....
- 1997: Vancouver MagazineVancouver MagazineVancouver Magazine is an English-language lifestyle magazine focused on Vancouver, British Columbia and the Lower Mainland.Vancouver Magazine describes its mission as informing, guiding and entertaining residents of a "dynamic, international city."...
- 1998: AdbustersAdBustersThe Adbusters Media Foundation is a Canadian-based not-for-profit, anti-consumerist, pro-environment organization founded in 1989 by Kalle Lasn and Bill Schmalz in Vancouver, British Columbia...
- 1999: ChatelaineChatelaine (magazine)Chatelaine is an English-language Canadian magazine of women's lifestyles. Both Chatelaine and its French-language version, Châtelaine, are published monthly by Rogers Media, Inc., a division of Rogers Communications, Inc...
- 2000: Azure
- 2001: Canadian GeographicCanadian GeographicCanadian Geographic is the bimonthly magazine of the Royal Canadian Geographical Society . It was first published in May 1930 under the name Canadian Geographical Journal. The society's objective was to produce a popular magazine dealing primarily with Canadian geography...
- 2002: Outpost Magazine
- 2003: Border CrossingsBorder Crossings (magazine)Border Crossings is a magazine published quarterly from Manitoba, Canada. It investigates contemporary Canadian and International art and culture. The editor, Meeka Walsh, specializes in rarefied articles and interviews about contemporary Canadian and international art and culture...
- 2004: MaisonneuveMaisonneuve (magazine)Maisonneuve is a general interest magazine based in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. It publishes eclectic stories of national and international scope on the arts, culture and politics. Established in 2002 by Derek Webster, the magazine is named after Paul de Chomedey de Maisonneuve, the founder of Montreal...
- 2005: Maclean'sMaclean'sMaclean's is a Canadian weekly news magazine, reporting on Canadian issues such as politics, pop culture, and current events.-History:Founded in 1905 by Toronto journalist/entrepreneur Lt.-Col. John Bayne Maclean, a 43-year-old trade magazine publisher who purchased an advertising agency's in-house...
- 2006: The WalrusThe WalrusThe Walrus is a Canadian general interest magazine which publishes long form journalism on Canadian and international affairs, along with fiction and poetry by Canadian writers. It launched in September 2003, as an attempt to create a Canadian equivalent to American magazines such as Harper's, The...
- 2007: Toronto LifeToronto LifeToronto Life is a monthly Canadian magazine about entertainment, politics and life in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Toronto Life also publishes a number of annual special interest guides about the city, including Home Decor, Stylebook, Eating & Drinking, Real Estate and Weddings. Established in 1966,...
- 2008: AlbertaViews
- 2009: Up Here
Outstanding Achievement
Each year since 1990 the NMAF has awarded the Foundation Award for Outstanding Achievement, which recognizes an individual's innovation and creativity through contributions to the Canadian magazine industry. The winners since 1990 are:- 1990 Prue Hemelrijk
- 1991 Michael de PencierMichael de PencierMichael Christian de Pencier, CM, OOnt, B.A., M.A., LL.D. is an entrepreneur, environmental investor, and publisher. He is the grandson of Adam de Pencier and brother-in-law of Richard A. N. Bonnycastle....
- 1992 Lloyd Hodgkinson
- 1993 Barbara Moon
- 1994 Don Obe
- 1995 Jean ParéJean ParéJean Paré, CM is a Canadian caterer, author of the Company's Coming cookbook series, and founder of Company’s Coming Publishing Limited. She is one of the top selling cookbook authors in the world, selling 23 million copies as of 2006. She had written over 200 cookbooks before her retirement in 2011...
- 1996 Catherine Keachie
- 1997 James Ireland
- 1998 Robert Fulford
- 1999 Lynn Cunningham
- 2000 Peter C. NewmanPeter C. NewmanPeter Charles Newman, CC, CD is a Canadian journalist and writer.Born in Vienna, Austria, Newman emigrated from Nazi-occupied Czechoslovakia to Canada in 1940 as a Jewish refugee. His father, Oscar, was a self-made wealthy factory owner. Newman was educated at Upper Canada College, where he was...
- 2001 Ken Rodmell
- 2002 Al Zikovitz
- 2003 Sally Armstrong
- 2004 Paul JonesPaul JonesPaul Jones may refer to:*Paul Jones , Australian politician*Paul Jones , American Episcopal Bishop*Paul Jones , British former professional boxer...
- 2005 John MacfarlaneJohn MacFarlaneJohn MacFarlane is an American businessman who founded www.software.com and is currently the CEO of the company Sonos.- Sources :*http://www.sonos.com*http://www.software.com...
- 2006 Neville Gilfoy
- 2007 Charles Oberdorf
- 2008 Cynthia Brouse