Do you have a favorite conjuror or illusionist that you feel deserves special commendation? Has a magician’s performance in 2017 impressed you more than the rest? Now’s your chance to give them the recognition they deserve by nominating them for the 2018 Allan Slaight Awards, hosted by Magicana.
Since 2015, the Allan Slaight Awards (named for the late Canadian media mogul and magic aficionado who recently had his collection of magic posters hosted in an art gallery) has attempted to highlight the best names in magic and to award “outstanding achievement in the pursuit of the impossible”. Each of the five awards are attached with monetary prizes, furnished by the Slaight Family Foundation, and judged by an independent panel through Magicana.
Here are a list of nominations and prior winners, as provided via press release:
Sharing Wonder ($15,000) recognizes exceptional magic performed for the public, whether in live performance, on television or online. Past recipients include Derek Delgaudio (2017), Darcy Oake (2016) and Penn & Teller (2015)
Sharing Secrets ($10,000) recognizes work that advances the study of magic as a performing art, whether in print, on video or any other medium. Work related to the history of magic and its practitioners will also be considered. Past recipients include John Lovick (2017), Richard Kaufman (2016) and Mike Caveney (2015).
Rising Star – Canadian & International ($5,000 each) recognizes emerging talent in Canada and abroad. Past recipients include Edward Hilsum (2017), Eric Leclerc (2017), Jorge Blass (2016), Luc Langevin (2016), Henry Vargas (2015), and Mahdi Gilbert (2015).
Lifetime Achievement ($15,000) recognizes a person, company or organization that has demonstrated a commitment to advancing magic as a performing art, and made major contributions to that goal throughout their or its lifetime. Past recipients include Max Maven (2017), Ton Onosaka (2016) and Johnny Thompson (2015).
If you know of a magician who is deserving of any of these awards, you can send your submissions to Magicana via their award nominations page. Nominations require a little more than a name and a couple YouTube links, though—you must provide information about yourself, as well as information about your nominee, which may include a brief biography (under 750 words) and an explanation for why you believe they deserve to be nominated. Links, clips, documents, and other samples of the magician’s work may be attached as well.
Nominations will be accepted until March 15, 2018 at midnight, with winners contacted in the spring.
For more information on the awards, the nomination process, previous winners, and frequently asked questions, head over to Magicana for a full breakdown.