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The Shaw Rocket Fund is a non-profit organization that funds both English and French Canadian children's television and digital programs. Headquartered in Calgary, Alberta, it is the largest private funder for Canadian kids' media for independent producers, and is one of Shaw Communications' key programs.
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History
The Shaw Rocket Fund was created in 1998 (known then as the Shaw Television Broadcast Fund) by Shaw Communications as a private funder of Canadian kids' TV production. In 2004, Agnes Augustin became President & CEO of the Fund. Agnes was previously a Manager and Vice President of Business Affairs for production and distribution companies, Head of Production for CMT, and an independent producer.
Shaw Communications continues to contribute to the Shaw Rocket Fund (over $145 million as of 2014), and the Shaw Rocket Fund has invested over $127 million into 529 programs (7,456 half hours) of Canadian kids' programming.
The Shaw Rocket Fund is listed as a Certified Independent Production Fund by the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC), and as a private funder with the Canadian Media Production Association.
Board
The Shaw Rocket Fund Board consists of three industry professionals.
Shaw Rocket Prize
The Shaw Rocket Fund created the Shaw Rocket Prize in 2004 as a way to award high-quality Canadian children's programs.
The Shaw Rocket Prize is an annual award, funded by the Shaw Rocket Fund, that is presented to one or more Canadian television programs. It started out as one $50,000 prize, awarded to the winning program, but in 2013 it expanded to three $25,000 prizes, awarded to a winner in each of three categories (Preschool, Children ages 6–12 and Youth ages 13–17 & Family). Production companies apply for the Prize by submitting their programs online. Eligible entries are reviewed by an International Jury, made up of four to five industry professionals. Once the jury has selected the finalists, another jury, made up of Canadian children, votes online for the winner. Global TV did a segment on the winners in 2014.
Kids' Jury
The Shaw Rocket Prize Kids' Jury is made up of children from across Canada. Over the years it has evolved, originally beginning with a few select schools, and expanding to include children from all of Canada in the 0-17 age group. Preschoolers 5 and under screen and vote for one of three programs suitable for their age group, as do children aged 6–12 and youth aged 13–17.
Nominees
Winners in bold
International Emmy Kids Awards
The International Emmy Kids Awards is an annual event in February that recognizes the best in kids' programming around the world. The Shaw Rocket Fund became a presenting partner in 2013.