About the Distinguished Artist Award
The 2025 Distinguished Artist Award recipients will be announced October 4, 2025.
Nominations for the 2027 Distinguished Artist Award will open December, 2026.
Awards
Up to three awards of $30,000 each are awarded every other year (odd years). Recipients also receive a hand-cast medal, a pin, a framed citation, and, where appropriate, a two-week residency at The Banff Centre Leighton Artists Colony.
Who is a Distinguished Artist?
Individuals or organizations may nominate an artist, artist collective, or arts builder and supporter for a Distinguished Artist Award. (Self-nominations, posthumous nominations, and nominations from family members, however, will not be considered.)
Eligible nominees must be:
- Canadian citizens
- Current Alberta residents, or those who have had a significant connection to the province over time
- Artists who have achieved excellence in their discipline
- Arts supporters and builders who have contributed in a major way to the arts in Alberta.
The Award Medals
Medals, which feature a sculpted outline of the Alberta wild rose surrounding a cut out star, were designed by Wei Yew. They are hand-cast in sterling silver and plated in 18 karat gold by Wayne Mackenzie. Miniatures of the medals are cast in 18 karat gold as lapel pins for Award recipients.
