The Saskatchewan Arts Awards have been discontinued.
As of 2024, SK Arts celebrated the contribution of Saskatchewan artists and arts organizations through Arts of Celebration.
Lieutenant Governor's Lifetime Achievement
(award plus $10,000 cash prize)
Recognizes and celebrates an individual, group or, collective engaged in the arts in Saskatchewan who: is recognized as an established professional in their field who has reached an advanced level of accomplishment; has produced a substantive, cumulative and prominent body of work or has a history of continued contribution to the arts over a number of years, and has had a particularly significant impact on the arts in Saskatchewan through distinguished lifelong career achievements; has attained critical recognition nationally and internationally for an art practice and/or outstanding sustained and progressive contribution to the arts.
Artistic Excellence
(award plus $6000 cash prize)
Recognizes and celebrates an established professional Saskatchewan artist, group, or collective working in any art form who: is at an advanced stage in their career; has created an extensive independent body of work and is making a sustained and progressive contribution to the art form; has attained significant critical recognition nationally and perhaps internationally and has had an important impact on the arts in Saskatchewan through publication and/or public presentation of their work. The award may be given based on a significant accomplishment in a single year or on the artist's cumulative body of work.
Emerging Artist
(award plus $6000 cash prize)
Recognizes and celebrates an emerging professional Saskatchewan artist, group, or collective working in any art form who demonstrates exceptional promise through early notable accomplishments and who: is in the early stage of their career; has created an independent body of work, and is making a continuing and progressive contribution to the art form; has received regional and perhaps national recognition and has had an impact on the arts in Saskatchewan through publication and/or public presentation of their work.
Leadership - Individual
(award plus $6000 cash prize)
Recognizes and celebrates an individual engaged in the arts in Saskatchewan who demonstrates outstanding leadership and commitment to the advancement of the arts and artists in the province through exemplary management, presentation, production, distribution, marketing, research, collection, or curatorial practice. (For this category, "individual" also can include two people who work together as one team.)
Leadership - Organization
(award plus $6000 cash prize)
Recognizes and celebrates an organization engaged in the arts in Saskatchewan that demonstrates outstanding leadership and commitment to the advancement, presentation, and promotion of the arts and artists through exemplary programming, governance, operations, administration, and/or innovation.
Arts and Learning
(award plus $6000 cash prize)
Recognizes and celebrates a Saskatchewan educator who has demonstrated outstanding commitment to the arts and learning by means of: innovative approaches to education in the arts through exemplary programs, instruction, an art practice, or partnerships with artists or arts organizations that foster the creative and intellectual development of young people through education and experiences in the arts and; the engagement of students in the exploration of contemporary artistic ideas or creative experiences that stimulate their understanding of the arts. The award may be for career-long accomplishments or for a particularly innovative project. (For this category, "a Saskatchewan educator" also can include two educators who work together as one team.)
Photo credit: Saskatchewan Arts Awards sculptures by Marie Lannoo. Photo by David Stobbe.