Apply to The Yukon Prize for Visual Arts
Applications for the 2023 Yukon Prize are now closed.
The 2023 Rules – summary
The Yukon Prize recognizes excellence by Yukon visual artists. It recognizes artists whose work demonstrates technical proficiency and reflects a unique artistic “voice” in theme, method or practice, referencing traditions and/or the contemporary realm.
In order to be eligible, artists must be residents of the Yukon for at least two years immediately prior to the application deadline (February 28, 2023) and be engaged in creating and producing original works of art on a part-time or full-time basis. In recognition of the unique relationship which Yukon First Nations people have had with the land since time immemorial, Yukon First Nations artists who are not Yukon residents but who have maintained a significant connection to the Yukon are also eligible.
Eligible art submissions must have been produced after February 28, 2018. They must be original works of art such as (but not limited to): painting, carving, sculpture, ceramics, printmaking, electronic media, photography, textiles, glass, regalia, jewelry and drawing, and should reflect the artist’s best work.
Application Form
Applications are now closed for the 2023 Yukon Prize. Please subscribe to our newsletter to receive a notification when the application process opens again.
Frequently Asked Questions
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How do I know if I qualify as a Yukon artist?
You will be considered a Yukon artist for the purposes of the Yukon Prize application if you have been a resident of the Yukon for at least two years as of February 28, 2023. Being a Yukon resident means that you consider the Yukon to be your primary place of residence and you would usually have at least one piece of government issued ID with your Yukon address on it. It is not necessary to submit the ID with your application but you may be asked for verification.
Yukon First Nation artists who are not currently Yukon residents but who have maintained a significant connection to the Yukon are also eligible. A significant connection might be, for example, regular visits to the Yukon, participation in cultural events, etc.
How do I apply? Does it cost money to apply?
There is no cost to apply. The Prize Rules and application form are available on the website now and provide all the information you need to start planning your application.
Can I submit a paper application if I don’t have access to a computer?
Yes, paper applications may be delivered or sent to Mary Bradshaw, Yukon Arts Centre, Box 16 / C.P. 16 Whitehorse, YT Y1A 5X9 or emailed to paper-submissions@yukonprize.ca. Any non-digital material will be scanned for the jury.
What is the definition of professional artist?
You do not need to be a “professional artist” to apply. Any artist, whether working full-time or part-time, is welcome to apply for the Yukon Prize.
I need help filling out the application, who can I contact?
There is a list of people at the end of the Prize Rules who you can contact for advice.
Does the art work need to be new work?
The work does not have to be new work created just for the Yukon Prize. It can be existing work, including work that has already been exhibited or that has won an award elsewhere, as long as the work is your original work and created after February 28, 2018.
Will I get a confirmation that my application has been received?
Yes, you will receive an automatic confirmation once you submit your application.
Where can I get advice on how to write an artist's statement?
Check out the Blog posts on this website. One of the Blog posts is called How to write a Bio and an Artist’s Statement and has a link to a webinar and other useful resources.
Which artworks should I include in my submission?
You can submit 4 to 8 original works, produced since February 28, 2018. Choose works that represent your best work, keeping in mind that the award recognizes “excellence by Yukon visual artists”. See the criteria which are set out in the Rules.
I have a series of related works. Should I group them together as one artwork or is each a separate artwork?
Whether the pieces are considered one artwork depends on how closely related the artworks are.
Could each work live independently or is it only complete when they are shown together?
If you think the piece is only complete when all are together, then you would probably consider it to be one work of art.
This is a subjective question for you to answer.
If you are entering multiple pieces as one artwork, you might want to explain the relationship between the pieces and how they form one artwork in the “about artwork” section of the application. You are only allowed to submit a maximum of 3 photos per artwork, so if you are submitting several items as one artwork, you would likely want to submit at least one photo showing all of the pieces together, and use the other 2 photos to highlight details of the component pieces.
2023 Jurors
The Yukon Prize Committee is pleased to announce the jurors for the 2023 Yukon Prize.
Dr. Heather Igloliorte (Inuk-Newfoundlander, Nunatsiavut), is the University Research Chair in Circumpolar Indigenous Arts at Concordia University in Tiohtiá:ke/ Montreal, where she leads the Inuit Futures in Arts Leadership SSHRC Partnership Grant and Co-Directs the Indigenous Futures Research Centre. Igloliorte has been a curator for seventeen years; among many projects, she is the lead guest curator for INUA, the inaugural exhibition of the new Inuit art centre, Qaumajuq, in Winnipeg. Igloliorte also serves as the Co-Chair of the Indigenous Circle for the Winnipeg Art Gallery; is President of the Board of the Inuit Art Foundation; and sits on the Faculty Council of the Otsego Institute for Native American Art History at the Fenimore Art Museum in Cooperstown, New York
Michelle Jacques is a curator, educator, and cultural worker. She is currently the Head of Exhibitions and Collections/Chief Curator at Remai Modern, which is situated on Treaty 6 Territory and the Homeland of Métis, in the city also known as Saskatoon. Prior to moving to the Prairies, she was the Chief Curator at the Art Gallery of Greater Victoria in British Columbia for 8 years; before that, she held curatorial positions in the contemporary and Canadian departments at the Art Gallery of Ontario, Toronto. Her long-term commitment is to growing the relevance of visual art museums, but she has also worked as the Director of Programming at the Centre for Art Tapes, an artist-run centre in Halifax, Nova Scotia, and taught writing, art history and curatorial studies at NSCAD University, the University of Toronto Mississauga, and OCAD University.
Sarah Milroy is the chief curator of the McMichael Canadian Art Collection in Kleinburg, Ontario. She has curated or co-curated major exhibitions on Emily Carr, David Milne, Lionel LeMoine FitzGerald, Denyse Thomasos, Dempsey Bob, Gathie Falk, and Wanda Koop. Milroy previously served as art critic of the Globe and Mail (2001 to 2011), and as editor and publisher of Canadian Art (1991 to 1996).