Since the launch of the Distinguished Artist Award in 2005 – followed by the launch of our Emerging Artist Award in 2008 – the Foundation has awarded $1.85 million to 29 Distinguished, 95 Emerging and 10 Creative Encouragement Awardees across all arts disciplines.
Today, the Board of Directors of the Lieutenant Governor of Alberta Arts Awards Foundation is strengthening its support to Alberta artists with a significant increase in the value of the Distinguished Artist Award.
Beginning in 2027, the prize amount for the Distinguished Artist Award will increase from $30,000 to $50,000 for each of three recipients, cementing its place amongst the most substantial arts awards prizes in Canada.
“We believe in the importance of recognizing and celebrating Alberta’s outstanding artists who enrich our lives in countless ways. This increase to the Distinguished Artist award reinforces the immeasurable value our artists bring to our province,” said Annemarie Leenhouts-Petrov, Board Chair of the Lieutenant Governor of Alberta Arts Awards Foundation.
Each Distinguished Artist also selects a recipient for the Creative Encouragement Award – these artists receive a gift of $5,000 each. The award’s value is further enriched with a handcrafted award medal, an 18 karat gold lapel pin, and a two-week residency at the Banff Centre’s Leighton Artist Studios.
The Distinguished Artist Award recognizes exceptional achievement and significant artistic impact provincially and beyond. This increased prize amount provides additional meaningful financial support alongside the honour of receiving the award, affirming the value of artists and their work.
Nominations for the 2027 Distinguished Artist Award open the week of November 23, 2026. Go to artsawards.ca for more details.
