A glimpse into the current landscape of Canadian contemporary art can be seen in the finalists shortlisted for the 2026 Sobey Art Award. The latest group of contenders was announced today by the Sobey Art Foundation and the National Gallery of Canada. Selected from a previously announced list of hopefuls, the shortlist features artists representing six different regions.

The nominees for the 2026 Sobey Art Award include Melaw Nakehk’o from the Circumpolar region, Samuel Roy-Bois from the Pacific region, Audie Murray from the Prairies region, Lotus L. Kang from the Ontario region, Caroline Monnet from the Quebec region, and Shane Perley-Dutcher from the Atlantic region. These artists work across various mediums such as textile art, sculpture, installation, and filmmaking, with four of them delving into themes related to their Indigenous heritage.

According to Jonathan Shaughnessy of the National Gallery of Canada, who chairs the Sobey Art Award jury, the shortlisted artists represent a diverse range of contemporary visual practices. Their artworks, through innovative use of materials, reflect deep personal, cultural, and material histories and experiences.

The winner of the $100,000 grand prize will be announced on Nov. 14 at a ceremony in Ottawa, following deliberation by an independent jury. Prior to the announcement, the National Gallery of Canada will host an exhibition showcasing the finalists’ works starting from Sept. 4.

Last year’s recipient of the award was Tania Willard, known for her land-based art practice. Previous winners include renowned artists like Brian Jungen, Divya Mehra, Nico Williams, and Abbas Akhavan, who is currently representing Canada at the Venice Biennale.

Established in 2002, the Sobey Art Award previously honored Canadian artists under 40 but removed the age restriction in 2021. The award aims to amplify the voices of Canada’s most significant artistic talents.