The Siminovitch Prize in Theatre will be no more after 2012 according to reports from the Globe and Mail and Straight.com. 

The reports are based on a paragraph included in the 2012 Siminovitch Prize Call for Nominations: 

This year also marks the final year for the Siminovitch Prize. “The Founders are proud of what the Prize has achieved and are pleased to have played a role in honouring the significant contributions made by Elinore and Lou Siminovitch to Canadian society, in a way that would reflect their mutual life-long love for the arts and, in particular the theatre,” said Joseph Rotman, Chair of the Canada Council and one of the Founders of the Siminovitch Prize.

According to Straight.com, a member of Joseph Rotman’s staff said the prize was being cancelled due to lack of funding. No official reason has been given for the prize’s cancellation.

The $100,000 Siminovitch Prize in Theatre is one of Canada’s most prestigious Arts prizes. The recipient is awarded $75,000 and must choose a protégé to award the remaining $25,000. It is an annual award but with a rotating focus on recognizing directors, designers and playwrights.

This year the Siminovitch Prize will be presented  to a professional theatre designer.  The deadline for nominations is Friday, June 8, 2012. Click here to access the nomination form. A short list will be announced in September, and the recipient and their protégé will be announced at the ceremony in November.