Governor General’s Awards in Visual & Media Arts

The Governor General’s Awards in Visual and Media Arts are awarded each year in recognition of outstanding contribution to the recipient’s particular field of endeavour. These awards were created in 1999 by The Right Honourable Adrienne Clarkson. The Canada Council for the Arts funds and administers the awards. Since 2007, the Prix Saidye Bronfman Award became included in the Governor General’s Awards in Visual and Media Arts. An independent peer jury of senior visual and media arts professionals selects up to seven laureates to be recognized for artistic achievement and one award for outstanding contributions in a professional or volunteer role. Visual and media artists in fine arts (painting, drawing, photography, print-making and sculpture, including installation and other three-dimensional work), applied arts (architecture and fine crafts), independent film and video, or audio and new media are eligible for this annual award. Each laureate receives $25,000 and recognition in an exhibition at the National Gallery of Canada.