All open calls for nominations - as of February 2025
February 13, 2025
We currently have three ongoing calls for nominations for grants and awards for Canadian emerging artists. We invite cultural workers in the performing and visual arts to review the programs’ guidelines and nominate an exceptional artist today!
See image credits below
The Gerda Hnatyshyn Launch Grants (performing arts, recent graduates/early career)
The Gerda Hnatyshyn Launch Grants, of $10,000 each, provide assistance to the most promising Canadian performing artists in the years immediately following their education or training. One grant is available in each of the following disciplines:
Classical Music
Contemporary Music
Contemporary Dance
English Theatre
French Theatre
The Launch Grants are intended to support a project, for which candidates will submit a proposal. Projects can include the research, development, or creation of new works. Examples may include producing an album, developing a play, recording a contemporary dance video work, or organizing a series of performances. If nominators or potential candidates have doubts about their projects’ eligibility, they are encouraged to contact the Foundation!
We welcome nominations from recognized performing arts professionals working in their nominee’s discipline.
Deadline to nominate: March 31st.
More information (Launch Grants)
The Developing Artist Grants (performing arts, students in their final or penultimate year of undergraduate studies or entering graduate studies in classical vocal performance)
The Developing Artist Grants, of $12,500 each, assist the most promising young Canadian performing artists enrolled in post-secondary educational or training institutions. One grant is available in each of the following disciplines:
Classical music (orchestral instrument - strings)
Classical music (orchestral instrument - winds, brass, percussion)
Classical music (piano)
Classical vocal performance (The Carl and Trudy Michailoff
Developing Artist Grant for Classical Vocal Performance)
Contemporary danceJazz performance (The Oscar Peterson Award for Jazz Performance)
Acting (English theatre)
Acting (French theatre).
This year, the runner-up candidates in each discipline will be offered a $4,000 grant.
We welcome nominations from representatives of Canadian universities and performing arts colleges (all disciplines), or instructors anywhere in the world (for Classical vocal performance).
Deadline to nominate: March 31st
More information (Developing Artist Grants)
The William and Meredith Saunderson Prizes for Emerging Artists (visual arts, emerging, ages 35 or younger)
The William and Meredith Saunderson Prizes, of $10,000 each, support three young emerging visual artists whose practice shows potential and who are deemed to have the determination and talent to contribute to the legacy of art in Canada.
Eligible categories in the visual arts include, but are not limited to, painting, drawing, printmaking, sculpture, photography, three-dimensional installations and multi-media installations.
This year, the three top runner-up candidates will be offered a $3,000 prize.
We welcome nominations from representatives of public and private galleries, fine arts training institutions, and artist-run-centres.
Deadline to nominate: April 14th
More information (Saunderson Prizes)
We look forward to discovering this year’s candidates! If you know professors, instructors, or professionals in the visual or performing arts, please let them know about their programs, and how they can nominate a student, recent graduate, or exceptional emerging artist in their community!
Image credits, from left to right: Dante Gonzalez (2024 runner-up Developing Artist Grant laureate), photo by David Penny; Ian Sabourin (2024 runner-up Developing Artist Grant laureate), photo by Curtis Perry; Shaya Ishaq (2023 Saunderson Prize laureate), Face Jug no.2, 2022, photo by Justynn Roque; Charlotte Siegel (2023 Developing Artist Grant laureate) performing in La Boheme (Canadian Opera Company), photo by Michael Cooper; Norey Lau (2024 Developing Artist Grant laureate), photo by Kamila Soneira-Sosa.
