Musicians in Whitby and across Durham Region have until Monday to submit their work to the Durham Region Excellence in Arts, Music and Sound awards, better known as the DREAMS music awards.
The awards — formerly the Oshawa Music Awards — are preparing for their seventh ceremony, set for September 18 at the Biltmore Theatre in downtown Oshawa.
Artists can submit online in categories including album, record/single, songwriter, music producer and music video of the year. Entries must cover work released between January 1, 2025 and May 31, 2026, and artists must live in or be from Durham Region to apply.
The awards were rebranded in 2025 to include artists from across the region, not just Oshawa, according to a Yahoo report on the submission deadline.
"We want to acknowledge and reward you for the work that you've been doing," said Will McGuirk, communications liaison for DREAMS and manager of KOPS Records in downtown Oshawa.
McGuirk described Durham Region as a vibrant and diverse music hub, home to artists working in country, pop, R&B, heavy metal and hip-hop. He said he hopes every musician in the region submits their work. Prominent artists with roots in Durham include Shawn Mendes and Daniel Caesar.
A boost for emerging artists
Oshawa-based blues and rock musician Stefan Palicki won best emerging artist last year. He said the recognition came when he was feeling demoralized about his progress in the industry.
"I wasn't getting many shows [or] much recognition," Palicki said in the Yahoo report. "Getting that award was a big boost."
Since the win, Palicki has kept playing shows and is preparing to compete as a finalist in the Toronto Blues Society Talent Search on June 28. He described Durham's music community as tight-knit and welcoming.
"They're really accepting of all kinds of people," he said.
Music as an economic driver
The awards are presented by Invest Durham, the region's economic development division. Eileen Kennedy, the region's creative industries specialist and film commissioner, said a 2023 study found Durham's music industry generated $162 million in GDP that year and supported roughly 5,000 full-time jobs.
"We're building a stronger, more vibrant music ecosystem that not only entertains but also drives economic and cultural growth," Kennedy said.
Kennedy oversees the region's creative industries program, which offers grants, programs and professional development opportunities to artists. Earlier this year it ran Beyond the Music, a series of free networking and workshop events, and the region created a music industry working group last year to advise on sector development.
The region's geography also plays a role, McGuirk said. Artists can workshop their music in quieter rural areas while staying close to live venues.
"It creates a really cool place for people to be able to create," he said.
Musicians looking for connections can also turn to the Durham Music Scene Database, a website listing musicians, live music venues and open mics across the region. Its creator, Emilie Lavigne, who also owns music management company EAL Management, said awards such as DREAMS help artists stand out in a crowded field.
"It's really hard work to get your name out there right now," Lavigne said. "There are so many musicians in the area that a lot of people get overlooked."
