Sobey Art Award

The Sobey Art Award is the pre-eminent prize for emerging Canadian artists of all ages. 

Presented annually, the award celebrates some of our country’s most exciting artists and provides significant financial recognition.

Since it was created in 2002, the Sobey Art Award has had an undeniable impact on the careers of Canadian contemporary artists. Within little more than a decade, the award and its attendant publicity have also boosted awareness of contemporary art in Canada and further afield.

Starting this year, a jury composed of one representative from each of Canada’s six regions — Circumpolar, Pacific, Prairies, Ontario, Quebec and Atlantic — as well as an international representation oversees the selection process. The jury creates a list of five artists from each region selected from all regional nominees, and based on the jurors’ professional knowledge of their regions and of the national art scene.  The jury then meets and chooses its shortlist, with one finalist from each region.

This year, a total of $465,000 in prize money will be awarded: $100,000 to the overall winner, $25,000 to each of the shortlisted artists, and $10,000 to the remaining long-listed artists. In addition, the six shortlisted artists will be featured in an exhibition at the National Gallery of Canada in Fall 2024.