Organizer Information
The Sobey Art Award is presented annually by the National Gallery of Canada (NGC) in collaboration with the Sobey Art Foundation (SAF). Established in 2002, the Award is recognized as Canada’s pre-eminent prize for contemporary visual arts, designed to support and spotlight outstanding Canadian artists. The Foundation’s mission, grounded in decades of collecting and promoting Canadian art, has expanded to actively nurture contemporary art practices, while the NGC — Canada’s national art museum — manages the award administration and exhibition.
Title & Description
Sobey Art Award – Nominations Open for 2026
This yearly artistic prize acknowledges excellence in contemporary visual art by Canadian artists and collectives. Rather than a traditional open submission, the Sobey Art Award operates through a nomination process: qualified nominators submit candidates whose work demonstrates creative distinction, peer recognition, and artistic impact. The award elevates careers through substantial prize money, national exposure, and inclusion in a high-profile exhibition at the National Gallery of Canada.
Categories
The competition embraces contemporary visual art across disciplines, including (but not limited to):
- Painting
- Sculpture
- Drawing
- Video / Film
- Installation
- Textile & Fiber Arts
- Mixed-media
- Conceptual Art
- Performance-related works when documented or installed.
This reflects the diversity of practices showcased in recent Salon exhibitions.
Eligibility
Artists & Collectives:
- Open to Canadian citizens or permanent residents at any career stage (no age limit).
- Artists must have demonstrated sustained artistic practice and critical recognition.
- Only one submission per artist or collective is permitted.
- Self-nomination is not allowed; submissions must be made by an eligible nominator.
Nominator Eligibility:
Nominations must be made by one of the following art professionals, typically with established curatorial or institutional expertise:
- Director, curator, or board member of Canadian museums/public galleries.
- Dean, Chair, or senior educator in fine arts programs.
- Private Canadian art dealers.
- Established arts critics, writers, and independent curators.
- Established artists.(gallery.ca)
Program Benefits & Awards
- $100,000 to the overall winner.
- $25,000 to each shortlisted artist.
- $10,000 to each longlisted nominee.
- The six shortlisted artists are featured in a major exhibition at the National Gallery of Canada, attracting national and international audiences and media.
Exhibition & Visibility:
Selected works are featured in a high-profile gallery exhibition (typically opening in Autumn and running into the following year), accompanied by catalogue mentions and press coverage.
Application Fee
None
Application Requirements
- Completed online nomination form.
- Headshot of the artist or collective (minimum 3000 px for longest side), authorized for promotional use.
- Artist/collective CV.
- A 100-word biography in English or French (translated by the organizers).
- Up to 10 digital images of recent work (minimum 5 authorized for promotional use).
- Optionally up to 5 audio/video works hosted online.
- 1–2 page nomination letter from the nominator outlining the nominee’s artistic impact and significance.
Both the artist or the nominator may submit the package.
How to Apply?
Online Application
Key Dates
- Nomination Deadline: 14 February 2026
- Longlist & Shortlist Selection: Spring–Summer 2026 (dates vary).
- Exhibition of Finalists: Typically Autumn 2026 into early 2027 (exact schedule TBC by NGC).
- Winner Announcement: Often paired with a celebratory event during the exhibition period.
Location
Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
Additional Details
- Only one nomination per artist or collective is allowed.
- Works must demonstrate significant artistic contribution and peer recognition.
- Images and media submitted must adhere to technical file standards specified by the organizers.
- No self-nominations are accepted — a professional endorsement is required.