Short Description
In September 2025, the University of Saskatchewan Art Galleries and Collection (USAGaC) will open the application call for the fourth annual ohpinamake Prize for Indigenous Artists. “ohpinamake”is a nêhiyawêwin term meaning “to lift others,” which was gifted to USAGaC by three Indigenous community leaders: elders Maria Campbell and Louise Bernice Halfe-Sky Dancer, and artist and alumna Ruth Cuthand (BFA’83, MFA’92). This prestigious award recognizes an Indigenous artist who works within the spirit of the term, and whose territories intersect with the current colonial borders of Canada.
Eligibility
The chosen artist must clearly engage in a practice that “lifts others”. This can be understood as an active social practice or as the production of artwork that elevates Indigenous world-senses and creates community. It can also be understood as modeling behaviour that supports others in truly relational ways. Only Indigenous candidates will be considered for this award.
Submission Requirements
- Your PDF should include up to 15 digital images
- If you would like to include time-based or sound-based works, please also include this in the PDF by inserting a link to the online media you’d like to share. Don’t forget to include any passwords required for the jurors to access them (if there are any). You can submit full videos; however, the jury may only view up to 5 minutes of each video.
- Make an image and material list that includes this: title, date, medium, size/duration, and copyright credit (if applicable).
How to Apply
Online Application
Program Benefits & Awards
The artist will be chosen by a jury of cultural workers and community members. The chosen artist will receive 10,000 CAD. The award recipient will be announced in Spring of 2026.
Entry Fee
None
Location
Saskatchewan, Canada
Timeline
- Application Deadline: 1 December 2025
Website Link: https://kagcag.usask.ca/engage/special-projects/ohpinamake.php#top
