The Yukon Prize for Visual Arts is pleased to announce the twelve artists who have been named to the longlist for the $20,000 Yukon Prize.  Many thanks to the outstanding jurors who made the selection.

Justin Apperley
Kaylyn Baker
Jeffrey Langille
Robyn McLeod
Meshell Melvin
Rebekah Miller
Jackie Olson
Cole Pauls
Nicole Rayburn
Omar Reyna
Rosemary Scanlon
Alainnah Whachell

The twelve artists on the longlist were chosen by a jury of three highly regarded arts professionals from outside the Yukon. Dr. Heather Igloliorte (Inuk-Newfoundlander, Nunatsiavut), is the University Research Chair in Circumpolar Indigenous Arts at Concordia University in Tiohtiá:ke/ Montreal. Michelle Jacques is the Head of Exhibitions and Collections/Chief Curator at Remai Modern, which is situated on Treaty 6 Territory and the Homeland of Métis, in Saskatoon. Sarah Milroy is the chief curator of the McMichael Canadian Art Collection in Kleinburg, Ontario, previously served as the Globe and Mail’s art critic (2001 to 2011) and was editor and publisher of Canadian Art (1991-1996).

Please click on each artist’s name to view their artwork and read their bio and artist statement. 

Congratulations to all of the longlisted artists!

Let’s Talk Art!

Please join us on Wednesday, May 24 at the Gold Rush Inn Games Room from 5-7pm for free wings and good conversation with peers about the visual arts community in the Yukon. 

The evening will be facilitated by Nakai Theatre‘s Jacob Zimmer. 

Looking forward to seeing you there!

Upcoming Yukon Prize events

• May 24, 2023 – Let’s Talk Art: An evening sponsored by the Yukon Prize for Visual Arts. Join us at the Games Room at the Gold Rush Inn
  (411 Main St) from 5-7pm. Email Courtney to register.  
• June 14, 2023 – Announcement of the Yukon Prize shortlist. 
• September – November, 2023 – Exhibition of Yukon Prize finalists’ work opens at the Yukon Arts Centre in Whitehorse, YT.  
• September 14-17, 2023 – Yukon Prize Celebratory Weekend. Join us in Whitehorse to celebrate the accomplishments of Yukon artists and participate in a weekend of programming tailored to Yukon artists and art lovers.  Art crawl, art talks, gallery tours and more! 
• November, 2023 – Exhibition closes at Yukon Arts Centre, Viewers’ Choice award is announced.

Alumni News

The Government of Yukon recently shared 14 new selections added to the Yukon Permanent Art Collection which includes four Yukon Prize longlisted artists.

Congratulations to Meshell Melvin, Rebekah Miller, Jackie Olson and Rosemary Scanlon on these recent acquisitions. 

Rebekah Miller, Birch Corset

Rosemary Scanlon, Bloom

Jackie Olson, Red Hands

Meshell Melvin, Berry Song

Please support the Yukon Prize

To make a charitable donation online to support Yukon art and artists through the Yukon Prize, please donate through our partner, the Yukon Arts Foundation, via Canada Helps.

Where you see the heading: “Apply your donation to a specific fund set up by this charity” select “Yukon Prize for Visual Arts” from the drop down menu.

You will receive a charitable donation receipt immediately by email from Canada Helps, identifying your support for the Yukon Prize for Visual Arts.