Puppets Up! and the Mississippi Mills Community Fund announce the Noreen Young Award for the Arts
The Noreen Young Award for the Arts celebrates the life and legacy of Noreen Young, OC (1939–2025)—a visionary puppeteer, television creator, and noted Almonte resident. Her whimsical characters, seen on Under the Umbrella Tree, Hi Diddle Day, and beyond, shaped Canadian childhoods, while her founding of the Puppets Up! festival brought international acclaim to her hometown. For decades, Noreen continued to make an impact, dedicating time as a volunteer and mentor.
This $1,000 award supports a Mississippi Mills student pursuing post-secondary education in the arts (puppetry, visual, media, performing, or related artistic endeavours).
The successful applicant will prove primary residence in Mississippi Mills and acceptance into a post-secondary art program. The application is straightforward – a paragraph of interest can be accompanied by portfolio materials, letters of reference, and demonstrated extra-curricular and/or community involvement in the arts.
Selection, based on the established criteria, will be made by a committee established by the Mississippi Mills Community Fund, in partnership with Puppets Up! The award will be announced at the successful applicant’s local high school commencement ceremony this June.
If you or someone you know would like to apply, application is open from May 15–31. Forms can be found at your local high school guidance office or at www.mmcommunityfund.ca
This award will be made annually in perpetuity through the Mississippi Mills Community Fund, in partnership with the Ottawa Community Foundation. If you would like to make a donation to this endowment, in memory of Noreen Young, your contribution would be welcome and tax receipt will be issued https://www.ocf-fco.ca/funds/noreen-young-award-for-the-arts-by-puppets-up-fund/
Questions? Send us an email at mmcommunityfund@gmail.com or chair@puppetsup.com
