The 30 longlisted artists, hailing from coast to coast to coast, for the 2025 Sobey Art Award, Canada’s preeminent contemporary visual arts award, were recently announced by the National Gallery of Canada (NGC) and the Sobey Art Foundation (SAF). Last year, a sixth region—Circumpolar—was added to increase representation from across the country. The richest award in the country and one of the most generous in the world, the Sobey Art Award propels the careers of artists, of all ages, through financial support and recognition in Canada and beyond. A total of 465,000 CAD in prize money, funded by the Sobey Art Foundation, will be awarded. The six shortlisted artists, whose names will be unveiled on June 3, will be featured in an exhibition at the National Gallery of Canada next fall (October 3, 2025, to February 8, 2026).
The 2025 Sobey Art Award longlisted artists are:
Circumpolar—Darcie Bernhardt, Tarralik Duffy, Megan Jensen, Shirley Moorhouse, Mathew Nuqingaq
Pacific—Charles Campbell, Hazel Meyer, Michelle Sound, Charlene Vickers, Tania Willard
Prairies—Christina Battle, Molly JF Caldwell, Erika Jean Lincoln, Jessie Ray Short, Chukwudubem Ukaigwe
Ontario—Sandra Brewster, Christian Chapman, Sarindar Dhaliwal, Morris Lum, Shellie Zhang
Quebec—Joyce Joumaa, Michelle Lacombe, Leisure (Susannah Wesley & Meredith Carruthers), Malena Szlam Salazar, Swapnaa Tamhane
Atlantic—Hangama Amiri, Erin Hunt, Megan Samms, Miya Turnbull, Nelson White
“We’re thrilled to announce the 30 exceptional artists longlisted for the 2025 Sobey Art Award,” said Jonathan Shaughnessy, Director, Curatorial Initiatives, NGC, and Chair of the 2025 Sobey Award Jury. “Providing a platform for Canada’s most pertinent artistic voices has long been a key pillar of the Award and something that is ever more consequential. This year’s selection, drawn from a strong pool of nominations is a testament to the compelling breadth and calibre of contemporary artmaking in this country. We are grateful to the Sobey Art Foundation for their continued partnership and generous support.”
“On behalf of the Sobey Art Award Foundation, our warmest congratulations to each of the deserving artists selected for the 2025 longlist,” said Rob Sobey, Chair of the Sobey Art Foundation. “Now in its 22nd year, the Sobey Art Award is a great opportunity to learn about Canada’s contemporary cultural makeup. Together, with the National Gallery of Canada, we are very proud to be continuing our aim to promote Canadian contemporary art to national and international audiences.”
The winner will be announced on November 8, 2025, during an evening celebration at the National Gallery of Canada. The overall winner receives 100,000 CAD; each of the shortlisted artists receives 25,000 CAD; and each of the remaining longlisted artists receives 10,000 CAD.
For more information on the 2025 longlisted artists, please visit gallery.ca.
For media inquiries, please contact
Josée-Britanie Mallet, Senior Officer, Media and Public Relations, National Gallery of Canada: bmallet [at] gallery.ca
Pénélope Carreau, Officer, Public Relations, National Gallery of Canada, pcarreau [at] gallery.ca
About
Sobey Art Award / The Sobey Art Foundation / National Gallery of Canada
