2026 Sobey Art Award longlist revealed

Press Release

April 16, 2026

Thirty exceptional contemporary visual artists from across Canada receive big accolades from Canada’s prestigious award

The National Gallery of Canada (NGC) and the Sobey Art Foundation (SAF) today revealed the 30 Canadian contemporary visual artists who have been longlisted for the 2026 Sobey Art Award, representing a diverse cross-section of talent from every corner of the country.

Funded by the Sobey Art Foundation, the Sobey Art Award is Canada’s most established contemporary visual arts prize and provides a total of $465,000 in prize money. The award recognizes Canadian contemporary visual artists who are at a critical juncture in their careers and brings them national and international recognition. The six shortlisted artists, whose names will be announced on May 26, will be featured in an exhibition at the National Gallery of Canada starting in September 2026.

The artists on the long list for the 2026 Sobey Art Award from each of the six regions are:

Circumpolar
Melaw Nakehk’o
Janet Nungnik
Annie Pillaktuaq
Krystle Silverfox
Melissa Tremblett

Pacific
Charles Campbell
Emily Hermant
Kelly Lycan
Samuel Roy-Bois
Manuel Axel Strain

Prairies
Aileen Bahmanipour
Anna Binta Diallo
Jude Griebel
Zachari Logan
Audie Murray

Ontario
Nadia Belerique
Nour Bishouty
Alexa Kumiko Hatanaka
Lotus L. Kang
Oluseye Ogunlesi

Quebec
Marie-Michelle Deschamps
Chun Hua Catherine Dong
Frantz Patrick Henry
Liza Lacroix
Caroline Monnet

Atlantic
Carrie Allison
Chris Donovan
Chantal Khoury
Shane Perley-Dutcher
Jude Abu Zaineh

“We are excited to celebrate the 30 talented artists selected for the 2026 Sobey Art Award long list,” said Jonathan Shaughnessy, Director, Curatorial Initiatives at the NGC and Chair of the 2026 Sobey Award Jury. “The Sobey Art Award continues to serve as a crucial platform in the circulation of this country’s most pertinent contemporary artistic voices. Exemplifying a wide array materials and perspectives, the works of this year’s longlisted artists assert a compelling engagement with the present. A huge debt of appreciation to the Sobey Art Foundation for its continued support and commitment to the arts in Canada.”

“On behalf of the Sobey Art Foundation, I offer our sincere congratulations to the remarkable artists named to the 2026 long list,” said Rob Sobey, Chair of the Sobey Art Foundation. “For over two decades, the award has served as a window into the evolving heart of Canada’s cultural identity. We are honoured to partner with the National Gallery of Canada the shared ambition to champion Canadian contemporary art on the national and global stages.”

The winner will be announced on November 14, 2026, during an evening celebration at the National Gallery of Canada. The overall winner will receive $100,000; each of the shortlisted artists will receive $25,000; and each of the remaining longlisted artists $10,000.

For more information on the 2026 longlisted artists, please visit: https://www.gallery.ca/whats-on/sobey-art-award

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For media inquiries, please contact:

Josée-Britanie Mallet
Senior Officer, Media and Public Relations
National Gallery of Canada
bmallet@gallery.ca

Pénélope Carreau
Officer, Public Relations
National Gallery of Canada
pcarreau@gallery.ca

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