Alberta’s Distinguished Artist Award now worth $50,000

The Lieutenant Governor of Alberta Arts Awards Foundation is increasing the prize amount for its Distinguished Artist Award from $30,000 to $50,000.

According to the organization, 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.

“We believe in the importance of recognizing and celebrating Alberta’s outstanding artists who enrich our lives in countless ways. This increase reinforces their immeasurable value to our province, and we applaud all Alberta artists who dream, create, strive,” said Annemarie Leenhouts-Petrov, foundation board chair.

Since the awards were first presented in 2005, the foundation has granted more than $1.8 million to 29 distinguished artists, 94 emerging artists, and 10 Creative Encouragement Award recipients.