OTTAWA.- 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 announced today 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 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; each of the shortlisted artists receives $25,000; and each of the remaining longlisted artists receives $10,000.
