Grace, along with her husband, Arnold Rumbold, have been a pillar of the Edmonton arts community since 1960, when they first began attending Edmonton Symphony Orchestra concerts at the Jubilee Auditorium. Over the decades, Grace's devotion to the arts was unwavering, and her philanthropic impact reached far. From her involvement with the Trans Canada Trail and support for women in trades, to her love for the Edmonton Symphony Orchestra and Edmonton Opera, Grace dedicated her life to uplifting others and enriching the cultural landscape of our city.

Four years ago, Grace and Arnold approached Edmonton Opera with a visionary proposal: The Rumbold Vocal Prize. A nationwide opera competition focused not only on performance but also on skill-building, networking, and opportunities exclusively for upcoming artists.

Grace was always a warm presence at these events, and you could feel her passion for opera when she was in the room. Artists were warmly greeted, cheered on, and congratulated once they came off stage.

Her love of music and love of community made an indelible mark on Edmonton through her incredible generosity, and she will be dearly missed by her opera family.

This year, we are honoured to introduce the Grace Audience Choice Award, created in Grace’s memory. The winner will receive one thousand dollars, with the recipient chosen entirely by audience vote. This award is a reflection of Grace’s lasting generosity and her commitment to supporting emerging artists. It continues the spirit of encouragement and opportunity she brought to every event she supported.