The Centre for Independent Living in Toronto (CILT) is proud to present the 2026 Sandra Carpenter Legacy Award for Artists to recognize and celebrate a disabled artist whose work reflects creativity, originality, and a commitment to the values of Independent Living.
This award is presented annually as part of CILT’s commitment to honouring Sandra Carpenter and empowering artists with disabilities.
Applicants must meet the following criteria to be eligible:
- Identify as an artist with a disability
- Be a resident of Toronto or the Greater Toronto Area (GTA)
- Agree, if selected, to have their work featured on CILT’s website and social media platforms, and to participate in an award ceremony
The award recipient will receive:
- A cash prize of $1,000
- A certificate of recognition from CILT
- An opportunity to have their work featured on CILT’s website and social media channels
SUBMISSION DEADLINE: September 1, 2026
To apply:
- Submit a digital copy of an original work of art in any medium (e.g., painting, sculpture, photography, video, etc.) that reflects the theme of Independent Living
- Ensure the digital copy is of good quality and clearly represents the artwork
- Provide a brief artist statement (maximum 250 words) explaining how the work relates to the Independent Living philosophy
Please submit your work and statement by email to cilt@cilt.ca.
For any accommodation requests, please contact cilt@cilt.ca or call 416-599-2458. The award will be presented during CILT’s AGM on September 25, 2026.
Learn more about the award and Sandra Carpenter, a prominent figure in the Independent Living movement and Executive Director of CILT for 25 years, on the Sandra Carpenter Award for Artists page.
We encourage applications from disabled people who are also Black, Indigenous, People of Colour, 2-Spirit, LGBTQ+, Immigrants and Refugees, people living in poverty, unhoused, underhoused people and anyone else from communities experiencing systemic barriers.
Support CILT’s efforts promoting the Independent Living philosophy and our goal of facilitating the socio-economic equity of persons with disabilities by becoming a CILT member.
