Canada names eight winners of 2026 Governor General Awards
Canada has named the eight winners of its 2026 Governor General Awards for visual and media arts.
The announcement came on 16 September 2026. The winners are Chung-Im Kim, Roger Lee, Faye HeavyShield, Carole Itter, Zacharias Kunuk, Lyne Lapointe, Marie-Jeanne Musiol and Skawennati, according to The Art Newspaper.
The prizes are Canada's federal honours for artists and arts workers. They were created in 1999 by the Canada Council for the Arts in Ottawa, the country's national arts funder, and the Governor General of Canada, the King's representative in the country.
Up to eight awards are given each year. Six recognise artistic achievement. One recognises fine craft, meaning work made with skilled hand processes such as textiles, ceramics or jewellery. One recognises outstanding contribution to contemporary visual arts, media arts or fine crafts.
Chung-Im Kim takes this year's craft prize. It is called the Saidye Bronfman Award, for work celebrating craft processes.
Roger Lee takes the contribution prize. He was recognised for his work as an art historian.
The other six winners take the artistic achievement awards. They include Carole Itter and Zacharias Kunuk, the filmmaker from Igloolik known for work rooted in Inuit life. The list is completed by Faye HeavyShield, Lyne Lapointe, Marie-Jeanne Musiol and Skawennati.
Each winner receives a bronze medallion and C$25,000. That is the cash prize stated for all eight recipients.
Fans will get a chance to see the work together. An exhibition featuring all eight recipients is due to open in New Brunswick in autumn 2026.
What makes this stand out is the range. One list brings together craft, history-writing, film and studio practice, and the New Brunswick show will put that mix in one room.
