The Lieutenant Governor of Alberta Distinguished Artist Awards celebrate excellence
in and underlines the importance of the arts in Alberta.
The Awards recognize individual Albertans for outstanding achievement in the arts
or for significant contribution to the arts in Alberta. Up to three awards of $30,000
may be given every second year, beginning in 2005, on the recommendation of an adjudication
panel.
The recipient also receives a hand-cast medal, pin and framed citation and, where
appropriate, a residency at The Banff Centre Leighton Artists Colony.
Award recipients are selected through a nomination and adjudication process. Nominators
are expected to make the case for the achievements and/or contributions of their
nominee. The awards are presented by the Lieutenant Governor of Alberta at an Awards
Gala celebrating the arts in Alberta and hosted in a different city each time.
Any Albertan or Alberta-based organization may nominate an artist or group of artists
for a Distinguished Artist Award. To be eligible for consideration, the person or
persons you nominate must be:
- A Canadian citizen.
- A person whose achievement or contribution has benefited the Arts in Alberta.
- A resident of Alberta or, or if not now a resident, someone who has had a significant
connection to the province over time.
- Willing to accept the award.
The made-in-Alberta medal was designed by
Wei Yew.
Each medal is hand-crafted by Alberta jewelery designer and goldsmith
Wayne
Mackenzie.
The medal, 62mm in diameter and 5mm thick, is cast in sterling silver, finished
by hand, and then plated in 18 karat gold. The words "Lieutenant Governor of Alberta
Arts Award" are raised above the surface of the medal, as is the sculpted outline
of the Alberta wild rose surrounding the cut out star.
The recipient's name and year are engraved on the reverse. Miniatures of the medals
are cast in 18 karat gold as lapel pins for Award recipients.