AWARD PROGRAM OVERVIEW
The First Nations Art (FNA) Award program recognizes up to five BC First Nations artists for artistic excellence in traditional, contemporary or media art. The Award is designed for artists from BC First Nations who have demonstrated a commitment to their art practice; have accumulated a body of work; and who are recognized in their communities as artists.
WHY NOMINATE OR APPLY
The FNA Award advances the collective conversation around First Nations art in BC. Applying for the award serves as a platform to communicate an artist’s work, vision and creativity. The process invites an opportunity for critical artistic reflection and exposes artists to a wider audience.
DATES TO REMEMBER
- June 1, 2023 – Nominations OPEN
- June 30, 2023 – Nominations CLOSE
- September 2023 – Awardees ANNOUNCED
- November 15-22, 2023 – Art Exhibition @ The Roundhouse OPEN TO THE PUBLIC
Nominations must be submitted online by JUNE 30, 2023 (all materials must be received by 11:59 pm).
CATEGORIES
Artists have the option to self-identify in one of two submission categories:
Emerging: Artists have developed basic techniques through education and/or apprenticeship; and are in the early stages of launching a professional career. They have created and publicly presented a body of independent work and are ready for the next step in their artistic development.
Established: Artists have demonstrated advanced techniques; shown a commitment to their art practice; and are recognized in their community as artists. They have publicly presented a significant body of independent work and serve as mentors in their respective artistic community.
WHAT ARTWORK IS ELIGIBLE
Traditional or contemporary visual art in fields such as, but not limited to, carving, photography, beading, weaving, jewellery, painting, masks, sculpture, stonework, printmaking, basketry, textiles, and media art.
WHO CAN NOMINATE / APPLY
Self-nominations are accepted and encouraged. Any person, group or organization may submit nominations for the Award with exceptions noted below:
- Current members of the selection committee, or members of the selection committee’s immediate family may not submit a nomination
- BC Achievement board members may not submit a nomination
ELIGIBILITY
- The nominee must be affiliated with a BC First Nation
- The nominee must have lived in BC for at least three years
- Posthumous nominations are not eligible
- Past recipients of the Award are not eligible
Note: If the artist is presenting work outside of their Nation’s traditions, please indicate how authentic and respectful efforts have been made to engage with the artists or other members of the Indigenous communities whose culture or protocols are incorporated in the work.
SELECTION OF AWARDEES
An independent jury reviews the nominations and selects the awardees. The decision of the jury is final. Nominees are notified only if selected for an award. Nominators are informed as to whether or not they have been successful with their application.
Selection of Awardees is based on the nomination package submitted and the criteria of artistic excellence, creativity, originality, innovative approach, interpretation of First Nations culture and aesthetics. Up to five artists will awarded including the emerging artist.
Crabtree McLennan Emerging Artist - the Crabtree McLennan Emerging Artist designation was established in 2019. Named in honour of Brenda Crabtree, Director, Aboriginal Programs, Emily Carr University and the late Bill McLennan (1948-2020), Curator Emeritus, UBC Museum of Anthropology, this recognition aims to highlight and support emerging talent.
RECOGNITION
FNA recipients receive a prize of $5,000 each and are featured in a Recognition film produced by BC Achievement. In addition, they receive a medallion and pin designed by renowned First Nations artist Robert Davidson, OC, OBC, and a commemorative framed certificate and letter from the Premier recognizing their achievements.
Awardees are also granted use of the First Nations Art Award seal to signify their creative excellence.
An art exhibition and presentation ceremony will be held to showcase the awardees’ accomplishments.
HOW TO NOMINATE / APPLY
Download the 2023 Nomination Guide (coming soon) for tips on how to submit a compelling nomination.
The nominator must complete the online Nomination form and include the following:
- Artist Statement (max 3,000 characters incl. spaces or approx. 500 words) - the story of the nominee and their work
- Nominee CV or resumé
- Ten images of the nominee’s work & Visual List
- Recent Challenges - optional (max 2,000 characters incl. spaces or approx. 350 words)
- Up to 5 Additional Materials - optional (support letters, testimonials, certificates, links to video or media coverage *each link is considered one additional material*)
Note: It is recommended that the artist or nominator write out the Artist Statement and Recent Challenges in a word document first before adding the content to the online nomination form.
IMAGES & VISUAL LIST
- High quality photos make a difference to the jury
- Submitted images should show off the nominee’s work in the best light possible
- It is strongly recommended that the nominator submit the maximum number of images permitted (ten)
All images should:
- Be high resolution (min 1MB) in JPEG format (if they’re blurry don’t submit them)
- Shot on a solid background and with good lighting; if the image is taken outdoors, ensure no shadows are blocking the art
- Show the nominee’s signature style even if it is in different mediums
- Be consistent in terms of style and format
- Be of recent work; however, images of older work can be submitted if it shows growth in the nominee’s skill
Nominators are encouraged to include images that focus on the details of the nominee’s work.
Please name images using this format: last name, first initial, image number
(e.g., HuntJ01, HuntJ02 etc.)
Visual List - for each image, please include the number, title, year it was completed, medium and a short description
UPDATING A NOMINATION
- Nominations are valid for three years including the first year of nomination and two subsequent years
- Nominators are strongly encouraged to update their nomination package for consideration by the following year's selection committee if their nominee was not recognized in the previous year’s Awardee cohort
- To update your nomination, please complete the online nomination form, and select “this is an update to a previous submission” + the year
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
1. If an artist is affiliated with another First Nation outside of BC but is currently living and working in BC, can they apply?
No, the artist must be affiliated with a British Columbia First Nation.
2. Are part-time artists eligible?
Yes, if the artist is committed to their practice; has produced a significant body of work; and is recognized by their community and peers as an artist.
3. Can an artist submit samples of the work in each field they practice?
Yes, but only ten visuals TOTAL may be submitted.
4. What is ‘media art' and is it admissible?
Yes, it is admissible. BC First Nations artists working in media art are those whose work is created with media technologies including film, digital art, and computer animation.
5. Should a previously submitted nomination package be updated?
Yes, nominees should provide updated visuals and information reflecting their recent work, annually.
6. When are awardees announced and where are the names of the awardees published?
Awardees are announced in October. Their names are published on BC Achievement’s website and social media channels.
7. Has the name of the award changed?
Yes, in 2018, the name was changed from the BC Creative Achievement Awards for First Nations Art to The Fulmer Award in First Nations Art. In 2023, it was updated to First Nations Art Award.
8. Can information be saved on the online nomination form and completed at a later date?
Yes, it can.
Past Programs
AWARD OF DISTINCTION
The award is presented to an established artist in recognition of extraordinary and sustained accomplishment in First Nations Art in BC. It is also a commemorative reflection on how these artistic leaders contribute to their communities, how they respect tradition, how they mentor the next generation, and how they transform reality. They ensure that BC is a place filled with astonishing craft, with unique and immensely expressive power, and continuous wonder. Past recipients:
- 2022 Reg Davidson
- 2021 Stan Bevan
- 2020 Evelyn Vanderhoop
- 2019 Marianne Nicolson
- 2018 Henry (Hank) Speck Jr.
- 2017 Delores Purdaby
- 2016 Susan Point
- 2015 Joe David
- 2014 Alvin Mack
- 2013 Mandy Brown
- 2012 Norman Tait
- 2011 Primrose Adams
- 2010 Rena Point Bolton
- 2009 Earl Muldon
- 2008 Mary Michell
- 2007 Robert Davidson & Dempsey Bob
