In an effort to foster excellence in new talent, the Foundation assists the most promising young Canadian performing artists enrolled in post-secondary educational or training institutions. Eight grants are awarded annually, one in each of the following performing arts disciplines: classical music (orchestral instrument - strings), classical music (orchestral instrument - winds, brass, percussions), classical music (piano), classical vocal performance, contemporary dance, jazz performance, acting (English theatre) and acting (French theatre).

Program Overview

The Gerda Hnatyshyn Launch Grants are designed to provide assistance to the most promising Canadian performing artists in the years immediately following their education or training in the performing arts. One grant of $10,000 is awarded to support projects in each of the following disciplines: Classical Music, Contemporary Music, Contemporary Dance, English Theatre, and French Theatre.

Program Overview

The Hnatyshyn Foundation Mid-Career Award for Excellence in Visual Arts is awarded annually to a Canadian mid-career artist who has demonstrated excellence and innovation in their body of work and who shows promise of outstanding artistic achievement in the years ahead.

The Hnatyshyn Foundation Mid-Career Award for Curatorial Excellence is awarded to a Canadian mid-career curator of contemporary visual art in recognition of their contribution to the advancement of the contemporary visual arts in Canada.

Artists and curators cannot apply for these awards. An expert jury of arts professionals from across the country draws up the list of candidates and chooses the award recipients.

Program Overview

The William and Meredith Saunderson (formerly Charles Pachter) Prizes for Emerging Artists consists of three awards to support young emerging visual artists whose practices show potential and who are deemed to have the determination and talent to contribute to the legacy of art in Canada.

Program Overview

The Hnatyshyn Foundation – Joysanne Sidimus Ballet Grant provides assistance to the most promising young Canadian ballet dancers by bridging the gap between their full-time training and professional life. Canadian dancers entering the final or penultimate year of a qualified post-secondary educational program, professional training program, or apprenticeship program in ballet, who intend to pursue a career in ballet, are eligible.

Program Overview

The Hnatyshyn Foundation – Fogo Island Arts Young Curator Residency provides an opportunity for a young Canadian curator to work in residence at Fogo Island Arts, a contemporary arts venue in Newfoundland, for six weeks.

Program Overview

This program, inaugurated in 2022, consists of a $10,000 scholarship to recognize the academic achievement of an Indigenous undergraduate student in drama studying at the the University of Saskatchewan’s wîcêhtowin Theatre program.

Program Overview

The Decker family and the Hnatyshyn Foundation, in collaboration with the Schulich School of Music, created the Fellowship for young conductors to honour the late conductor Franz-Paul Decker and his wife, Christa, who both made a significant impact on the musical landscape in Canada and around the world.

Program Overview