The Lifetime Achievement award recipient is selected by the Cultural Awards Committee  in a non-competitive process. Every year the jury considers different candidates and select the person they feel best meets the criteria for recognition. Recent recipients include Georgian Bay Symphony retiring music director John Barnum, and musician and broadcaster Alfie Fromager.

This year's recipient represents a class of individuals in Owen Sound who make their mark not through a high-profile public persona or worldly achievement, but through a life of service to the community which is as humble as it is vital. Many of you know her as the operator of the Kindermusik program, introducing music two very young children through simple games and exercises, as a piano

teacher and musical mentor to many students of all ages, and as a very active community supporter and activist. Beloved by all who know her, I am speaking of course of Ariel Barkley.

Ariel is known for putting the gifts, talents and needs of people in the centre of her care, her love, and her generosity of spirit. She has a gentle, inspiring way that brings out the creativity and expressiveness of all her students – and she finds a way for students from children to seniors to discover and communicate through the power of music. But it is Ariel's belief in the true capacity of people and her willingness to engage people over years of learning and sharing through music that truly stands out.

Please listen to the words of a couple of her associates and students:

Ariel is a loved and appreciated music teacher and a grassroots cultural force in our community who meets babies, children, youth and adults where they are and leaves them better people and musicians.

As a music teacher, Ariel is professional in her approach: organized and prepared, structures the learning process to match each student. Importantly, she also possesses the ability to build confidence, a love for the music and inspire interest in her students to go further.