Excellence in British Columbia First Nations' Art

The 2012 submission form is currently being updated. Watch the site for further information.

Submission deadline: June 20, 2012
• $5,000 prize
• Media Art will be accepted
• Submissions considered for two years [see FAQ]

Overview

The British Columbia Creative Achievement Award for First Nations' Art is a juried competition celebrating artistic excellence and highlighting the cultural significance of the arts of the First Nations in British Columbia.

Up to five awards of $5,000 will be presented to artists affiliated with BC First Nations working in BC traditional or contemporary visual arts in such fields as, but not limited to, carving, weaving, beading, jewellery, photography, painting, masks, sculpture, stonework, print making, basket making and textiles.

About the Award

These awards are designed for artists from BC First Nations who have demonstrated a commitment to their art practice, who have accumulated a body of work and who are recognized in their community and peers as artists.

The British Columbia Creative Achievement Awards for First Nations' Art are an initiative of the British Columbia Achievement Foundation that recognize British Columbia's rich and diverse creative identity. The British Columbia Achievement Foundation is a foundation established and endowed by the Province of British Columbia to celebrate excellence in community service, arts and the humanities.

Award Recognition

Up to five awards of $5,000 will be awarded to artists from First Nations in British Columbia working in BC traditional or contemporary visual arts.

Eligibility

To be eligible, an artist must be affiliated with a British Columbia First Nation, and must have demonstrated a commitment to their art practice, produced a significant body of work, and be recognized by his or her community and peers as an artist.

Selection of Recipients

An Advisory Panel (jury panel) comprised of experienced individuals in the field of First Nations' art, including established First Nations' artists, will assess the submissions and select up to five recipients. The decision of the Advisory Panel is final.

The selection will be based on the submission package and the following criteria:

• Artistic excellence
• Creativity, originality, innovation
• Interpretation of First Nations' culture
• Aesthetics

Award Presentation

The award recipients will be invited to an awards presentation luncheon in Vancouver in Fall, 2011.

How to Apply

An artist may apply for this award or another individual may nominate the artist. The following information needs to be submitted:

1. A completed Submission form.

2. An artist's statement describing yourself as an artist, your experience, your training and your work. If this is a nomination, the nominator should write about the artist, the artist's work, the artist's experience and the artist's training. The nominator should also include information about the relationship to the artist. (If the artist is presenting work that is outside of his or her nation's traditions, then the artist or nominator should provide background as to the nature of the art presented.)

3. Visuals and Visual List
a. Visuals
Submit a maximum of five visuals of your recent work in the following format:
o JPEG - 300 dpi - sent on a DVD, clearly labeled with your name or
o high quality photographs marked on the reverse side with your name
o for media art submissions, quicktime videos of work may be submitted

b. Visual List
Create a list, using these headings: description, title, date created and medium. Clearly include the details of each of the five visuals that you are including in this submission.

Discs and photographs will be returned at the conclusion of the awards program. Please note that original works of art will not be accepted.

4. Letters of Recommendation:
You should include two letters of recommendation from individuals who can attest to your artistic contributions at home and beyond.

5. Send your completed submission package to:
British Columbia Achievement Foundation
6209 Angus Drive
Vancouver, BC V6M 3P2

Each submission or nomination package should include a completed submission form, an artist's statement, visuals and visual list.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q. Has the name of the award been changed?
A. Yes, in the winter of 2010, the name was changed from the BC Creative Achievement Awards for Aboriginal Art to the BC Creative Achievement Awards for First Nations’ Art to better reflect the eligibility for the award, that is artists who are affiliated with BC First Nations.

Q. Is this award similar to a grant?
A. No, this award is a juried competition based on visuals of work submitted.

Q. If I am a part-time artist am I eligible?
A. If you are a committed artist who has produced a significant body of work and are recognized by your community and peers as an artist you are eligible.

Q. If I enter more than one piece of work, may I send five visuals of EACH piece?
A. No, you may submit a total of five visuals.

Q. If I am a Canadian First Nation living and working in BC am I eligible to apply?
A. No, you must be affiliated with a British Columbia First Nation.

Q. If I do art in more than one field could I submit samples of the work in each field?
A. Yes, but you may only send a total of five visuals for ALL your work.

Q. What is ‘media art'?
A. BC First Nations’ Artists working in media art are those whose work is created with new media technologies, including digital art, computer graphics, computer animation, virtual art, Internet art, interactive art technologies, computer robotics, and art as biotechnology.

Q. If I applied for the 2011 awards and was not selected, how do I update the submission package for consideration for the 2012 awards?
A. Your submission will be automatically considered for the 2012 awards. The BC Achievement Foundation office will contact you by email to enquire if you wish any part of the your package updated including inviting new images.

Acknowledgement

Our thanks to the First Peoples Heritage, Language & Culture Council.