Awards

Every year, Firecracker Department proudly honours outstanding individuals who embody creativity, resilience, and fearless innovation in the arts.

The Blaze Award celebrates a multi-hyphenate powerhouse—someone igniting the industry across multiple artistic platforms with unstoppable energy and talent.

The Trailblazer Award shines a spotlight on a woman or gender-diverse artist over 50 who is absolutely killing it, proving that success has no age limit. This award recognizes artists who not only blaze their own trails, but light the way for others.

Read on to meet our previous award winners!

Blaze Award Recipients - 2024

We did a little something different in 2024. Launching new chapters in Vancouver and Calgary made us feel like we wanted to recognize the visionary artists making waves in those cities. So we decided to give out three Blaze Awards in honor of Firecracker’s expansion west.

  • Susan Serrao

    Calgary Blaze Award Recipient - 2024

  • Allana Harkin

    Toronto Blaze Award Recipient - 2024

  • Veena Sood

    Vancouver Blaze Award Recipient - 2024

Previous Blaze Award Recipients

  • Jennifer Podemski

    2023 Blaze Award Recipient

  • Amanda Brugel

    2022 Blaze Award Recipient

  • Jo Vannicola

    2021 Blaze Award Recipient

  • Michelle Buteau

    202 Blaze Award Recipient

  • Jann Arden

    2019 Blaze Award Recipient

The Trailblazer Award

This award honours a woman or gender-diverse artist over 50 who is absolutely killing it. A fearless creative force, this recipient is breaking barriers and redefining success.

Robin Duke

Trailblazer Award Recipient - 2024

Previous Trailblazer Award Recipients

  • Annie Bradley

    Trailblazer Award Recipient - 2023

  • Jennifer Holness

    Trailblazer Award Recipient - 2022