List of Laureates of the Governor General's Award in Visual and Media Arts


The Governor General's Awards in Visual and Media Arts are Canadian awards given each year to recognize outstanding contribution to the fields of visual and media arts. The awards were created in 2000 by then Governor General Adrienne Clarkson. The awards are funded and administered by the Canada Council for the 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, applied arts, independent film and video, or audio and new media are eligible for the annual award. Since 2007, the Saidye Bronfman Award for excellence in the fine crafts is also awarded by this process.
In 2015, each laureate received $25,000 and recognition in the form of an exhibition at the National Gallery of Canada.

Laureates (2000–2020)

YearNameAwardFieldLocation
2000Jocelyne AlloucherieArtistic AchievementsculptureMontreal, QC
2000Ghitta Caiserman-RothArtistic AchievementpaintingMontreal, QC
2000John ChalkeArtistic Achievementfine craftsCalgary, AB
2000Jacques GiraldeauArtistic AchievementfilmMontreal, QC
2000John ScottArtistic AchievementpaintingToronto, ON
2000Doris ShadboltOutstanding ContributionvoluntarismVancouver, BC
2000Michael SnowArtistic AchievementfilmToronto, ON
2001Russell C. GoodmanArtistic Achievementstained glass artistKelowna, BC
2001Douglas CardinalArtistic AchievementarchitectOttawa, ON
2001Joan Chalmers Outstanding ContributionphilanthropistToronto, ON
2001Tom DeanArtistic Achievementvisual artistToronto, ON
2001Jamelie HassanArtistic Achievementvisual artistLondon, ON
2001Liz MagorArtistic Achievementvisual artistVancouver, BC
2001Alanis ObomsawinArtistic AchievementfilmmakerMontreal, QC
2002AA BronsonArtistic Achievementvisual artistToronto and New York
2002Charles GagnonArtistic Achievementvisual artistMontreal, QC
2002Ydessa HendelesOutstanding Contributioncurator, art collector and philanthropistToronto, ON
2002Edward PoitrasArtistic Achievementvisual artistRegina, SK & Québec City, QC
2002David RokebyArtistic Achievementmedia artistToronto, ON
2002Barbara SteinmanArtistic Achievementvisual artistMontreal, QC
2002Irene WhittomeArtistic Achievementvisual artistMontreal, QC
2003Robert ArchambeauArtistic AchievementceramistWinnipeg, MB
2003Alex ColvilleArtistic AchievementpainterWolfville, NS
2003Gathie FalkArtistic Achievementvisual artistVancouver, BC
2003Betty GoodwinArtistic Achievementvisual artistMontreal, QC
2003Walter HarrisArtistic AchievementsculptorHazelton, BC
2003Suzanne Rivard-LemoyneOutstanding Contributionarts educator and administratorMontreal, QC
2003Takao TanabeArtistic AchievementpainterParksville, BC
2004Iain BaxterArtistic Achievementvisual artistWindsor, ON
2004Eric CameronArtistic AchievementpainterCalgary, AB
2004Tom HillOutstanding Contributioncurator, artist and Aboriginal arts advocateOhsweken, ON
2004Istvan KantorArtistic Achievementmedia artistToronto, ON
2004Garry Neill KennedyArtistic AchievementpainterHalifax, NS
2004John OswaldArtistic Achievementmedia artistToronto, ON
2004Ian WallaceArtistic AchievementpainterVancouver, BC
2005Carl BeamArtistic Achievementvisual artistManitoulin Island, ON
2005Lynne CohenArtistic AchievementphotographerMontreal, QC
2005Claude GosselinOutstanding ContributioncuratorMontreal, QC
2005Roland PoulinArtistic AchievementsculptorSainte-Angèle-de-Monnoir, QC
2005Lisa Steele and Kim TomczakArtistic Achievementvideo artistsToronto, ON
2005Françoise SullivanArtistic Achievementpainter, sculptor and dancerMontreal, QC
2005Paul WongArtistic Achievementvideo artistVancouver, BC
2006Mowry BadenArtistic AchievementsculptorVictoria, BC
2006Micheline BeaucheminArtistic Achievementtextile artist and weaverLes Grondines, QC
2006Vera FrenkelArtistic Achievementmultidisciplinary artistToronto, ON
2006Peggy GaleOutstanding Contributionindependent curator, writerToronto, ON
2006Kenneth LochheadArtistic AchievementpainterOttawa, ON
2006Arnaud MaggsArtistic Achievementvisual artistToronto, ON
2006Peter WintonickArtistic Achievementfilm producer, director, critic and editorMontreal, QC
2007Ian Carr-HarrisArtistic Achievementsculptor, installation, photographerToronto, ON
2007Aganetha DyckArtistic Achievementsculptor, installation, mixed media artistWinnipeg, MB
2007Bruce ElderArtistic AchievementfilmmakerToronto, ON
2007Murray FavroArtistic Achievementmultidisciplinary artistLondon, ON
2007Fernand LeducArtistic AchievementpainterMontreal, QC
2007Paul MathieuSaidye Bronfman AwardceramistVancouver, BC
2007Daphne OdjigArtistic Achievementpainter, printmakerPenticton, BC
2007David SilcoxOutstanding Contributionarts advocate, writer, educatorToronto, ON
2008Kenojuak AshevakArtistic Achievementdrawing, printmaking and sculptureCape Dorset, NV
2008Serge GiguèreArtistic AchievementfilmmakerSaint-Norbert-d'Arthabaska, QC
2008Chantal GilbertSaidye Bronfman AwardjewellerQuebec City, QC
2008Michel GouletArtistic AchievementsculptorMontreal, QC
2008Alex JanvierArtistic AchievementpainterCold Lake, AB
2008Tanya MarsArtistic Achievementperformance artistToronto, ON
2008Eric MetcalfeArtistic Achievementmultidisciplinary artistVancouver, BC
2008Shirley ThomsonOutstanding Contributioncultural administrator, gallery director and arts advocateOttawa, ON
2009John GreerArtistic AchievementSculptorLaHave, NS
2009Nobuo KubotaArtistic AchievementSculptor, musician, and performerToronto, ON
2009Kevin LockauSaidye Bronfman AwardGlass SculptorBancroft, ON
2009Rita McKeoughArtistic Achievementinterdisciplinary artistCalgary, AB
2009Robert MorinArtistic AchievementFilmmakerMontreal, QC
2009Raymond MoriyamaArtistic AchievementArchitectToronto, ON
2009Gordon SmithArtistic AchievementPainterWest Vancouver, BC
2009Tony Urquhart and Kim OndaatjeOutstanding ContributionFounders, CARFAC, the Canadian Artists’ Representation/Le Front des artistes CanadiensStratford, ON ; Verona, ON
2010Robert DavidsonArtistic AchievementSculptorWhite Rock, BC
2010André ForcierArtistic AchievementFilmmakerLongueuil, QC
2010Rita LetendreArtistic AchievementPainterToronto, ON
2010Terry RyanOutstanding ContributionManager, West Baffin Eskimo Co-operative Toronto, ON
2010Tom ShermanArtistic AchievementVideo ArtistToronto, ON
2010Gabor SzilasiArtistic AchievementPhotographerWestmount, QC
2010Ione ThorkelssonSaidye Bronfman AwardGlass SculptorRoseisle, MB
2010Claude TousignantArtistic AchievementPainter, SculptorMontreal, QC
2011Robert FonesArtistic AchievementVisual artistToronto, ON
2011Geneviève CadieuxArtistic AchievementPhotographerMontreal, QC
2011Michael MorrisArtistic AchievementVisual, Performance artistVancouver/Victoria, BC
2011David RimmerArtistic AchievementFilmmakerVancouver, BC
2011Kye-Yeon SonSaidye Bronfman AwardMetalsmithHalifax, NS
2011Barbara SternbergArtistic AchievementFilmmakerToronto, ON
2011Nancy TousleyOutstanding ContributionArt criticCalgary, AB
2011Shirley WiitasaloArtistic AchievementPainterToronto, ON
2012Margaret DraguArtistic AchievementPerformance artistVancouver/Richmond, BC
2012Geoffrey JamesArtistic AchievementPhotographerToronto, ON
2012Charles Lewton-BrainSaidye Bronfman AwardArtist–goldsmithCalgary, AB
2012Ron MartinArtistic AchievementVisual artistToronto, ON
2012Diana NemiroffOutstanding ContributionArt gallery director and curatorOttawa, ON
2012Jan PeacockArtistic AchievementVisual artist - media and installationHalifax, NS
2012Royden RabinowitchArtistic AchievementSculptorWaterloo, ON
2012Jana SterbakArtistic AchievementVisual artistMontreal, QC
2013Marcel BarbeauArtistic AchievementPainter and sculptorMontreal, QC
2013Rebecca BelmoreArtistic AchievementPainterWinnipeg, MB
2013William D. MacGillivrayArtistic AchievementFilmmaker and directorRose Bay NS
2013Gordon MonahanArtistic AchievementSound artist, composer and media artistMeaford, ON
2013Greg PayceSaidye Bronfman AwardArtist-potterCalgary, AB
2013Chantal PontbriandOutstanding ContributionCurator and art criticMontreal, QC and Paris
2013Colette WhitenArtistic AchievementSculpture installation artistToronto/Haliburton, ON
2014Kim AdamsArtistic AchievementSculptorToronto, ON
2014Sandra BrownleeSaidye Bronfman AwardWeaver/notebook keeperDartmouth, NS
2014Max DeanArtistic AchievementMultidisciplinary visual artistToronto, ON
2014Raymond GervaisArtistic AchievementPerformance and installation artistMontreal, QC
2014Angela GrauerholzArtistic AchievementPhotographer/visual artistMontreal, QC
2014Jayce SalloumArtistic AchievementMedia artistVancouver, BC
2014Brydon SmithOutstanding ContributionCuratorOttawa, ON
2014Carol WainioArtistic AchievementPainterOttawa, ON
2015Louise DéryOutstanding ContributionCuratorMontreal, QC
2015Robert HouleArtistic AchievementVisual artistToronto, ON
2015Micah LexierArtistic AchievementVisual artistToronto, ON
2015Rafael Lozano-HemmerArtistic AchievementMedia artistMontreal, QC
2015Paul McClureSaidye Bronfman AwardJewellery artistToronto, ON
2015Sandra MeigsArtistic AchievementPainterVictoria, BC
2015Rober RacineArtistic AchievementVisual artist, writer and composerMontreal, QC
2015Reva StoneArtistic AchievementNew media artistWinnipeg, MB
2016Edward BurtynskyPhotographer
2016Marnie FlemingOutstanding Contribution AwardCurator
2016Philip HoffmanFilmmaker
2016Jane KiddSaidye Bronfman AwardTextile artist
2016Wanda KoopVisual artist
2016Suzy LakeVisual artist
2016Mark LewisVideo artist
2016William VazanVisual artist
2017Michèle CournoyerArtistic AchievementAnimatorMontreal, QC
2017Glenn LewisVisual artist
2017Landon MackenzieVisual artist
2017Mike HoolboomFilmmaker
2017Shelagh KeeleyVisual artist
2017Philip MonkCurator & Writer
2017Shelley NiroVisual artist
2017Pamela RitchieJewellery artist
2018Bruce EvesArtistic AchievementVisual ArtistToronto, Ontario
2018Wyn GeleynseArtistic AchievementVisual Artist, media artsLondon, Ontario
2018Spring HurlbutArtistic AchievementVisual ArtistToronto, Ontario
2018Midi OnoderaArtistic AchievementVisual Artist, filmmakerToronto, Ontario
2018Sandra SemchukArtistic AchievementVisual Artist, photographerVancouver, BC
2018Adrian StimsonArtistic AchievementVisual Artist, performance artistSiksika, Alberta
2018Glenn AlteenOutstanding AchievementCuratorVancouver, BC
2019Stephen AndrewsArtistic AchievementVisual ArtistToronto, Ontario
2019COZIC Artistic AchievementVisual ArtistSainte-Anne-de-la-Rochelle, Quebec
2019Marlene CreatesArtistic AchievementVisual ArtistPortugal Cove, Newfoundland and Labrador
2019Ali KazimiArtistic AchievementVisual Artist and filmmakerToronto, Ontario
2019Lee-Anne MartinOutstanding ContributionCuratorCarp, Ontario
2019Andrew J. PatersonArtistic AchievementMedia ArtistToronto, Ontario
2019Jeff ThomasArtistic AchievementPhoto-based storytellerOttawa, Ontario
2020Zainub VerjeeOutstanding ContributionCultural Administrator, Arts Advocate, Art Critic, Art Centre/Gallery Director, ArtistMississauga, Ontario
2020Deanna BowenArtistic AchievementInterdisciplinary ArtistToronto, Ontario
2020Dana ClaxtonArtistic AchievementArtistVancouver, BC
2020Ruth CuthandArtistic AchievementArtistSaskatoon, Saskatchewan
2020Michael FernandesArtistic AchivementVisual ArtistEast Dover, Nova Scotia
2020Ken LumArtistic AchievementVisual ArtistPhiladelphia, Pennsylvania
2020Jorge Lozano LorzaArtistic AchievementFilmmakerToronto, Ontario

Saidye Bronfman Award

YearNameFieldLocation
1977Robin HopperPotterMetchosin, BC
1978Lois Etherington BetteridgeSilversmithGuelph, ON
1979Monique Cliche-SpénardQuilt ArtistSt-Joseph-de-Beauce, QC
1980Doucet-Saito Ceramic Artists
1981Joanna StaniszkisTextile ArtistVancouver, BC
1982Micheline BeaucheminPainter-WeaverLes Grondines, QC
1983Wayne NganPotterHornby Island, BC
1984William HazzardWood CarverRegina, SK
1985Michael WilcoxBookbinderWoodview, ON
1986Bill ReidMetalsmith, Wood Carver, JewellerVancouver, BC
1987Carole SabistonFibre ArtistVictoria, BC
1988Lutz HaufschildGlass ArtistWest Vancouver, BC
1989Harlan HousePotterMarysville, ON
1990Dorothy CaldwellTextile ArtistHastings, ON
1991Susan Warner KeeneFibre ArtistToronto, ON
1992Walter DexterPotterMetchosin, BC
1993Michael FortuneFurniture Designer and MakerLindsay, ON
1994Daniel CrichtonGlass ArtistToronto, ON
1995Louise GenestBookbinderMontreal, QC
1996Steven HeinemannCeramic ArtistRichmond Hill, ON
1997William 'Grit' LaskinGuitar MakerToronto, ON
1998Marcel MaroisTapestry ArtistQuebec, QC
1999Susan Low-BeerSculptorToronto, ON
2000Peter FlemingFurniture Designer and MakerToronto, ON
2001Léopold L. FoulemCeramic ArtistCaraquet, NB and Montreal, QC
2002Kai ChanTextile ArtistToronto, ON
2003Walter OstromCeramic ArtistIndian Harbour, NS
2004Maurice SavoieCeramistLongueuil, QC
2005Michael HosalukWood TurnerSaskatoon, SK
2006Peter PowningCeramist and SculptorMarkhamville, NB
2007Paul MathieuceramistVancouver, BC
2008Chantal GilbertjewellerQuébec, QC
2009Kevin Lockauglass sculptorBancroft, ON
2010Ione Thorkelssonglass sculptorRoseisle, MB
2011Kye-Yeon SonmetalsmithHalifax, NS
2012Charles Lewton-Brainartist-goldsmithCalgary, AB
2013Greg Payceartist-potterCalgary, AB
2014Sandra Brownleeweaver/notebook keeperDartmouth, NS
2015Paul McClurejewellery artistToronto, ON
2016Jane Kiddtextile artistSalt Spring Island, BC
2017Pamela Ritchiejewellery artistHalifax, NS
2018Jack Suresceramic artistRegina, SK
2019Susan EdgerleyGlass artistVal-Morin, Quebec
2020Anna TormaVisual artistBaie Verte, NB