Lacey Prize – About

Established in 2019, the Lacey Prize recognizes the activities and impact of small organizations and artist-run spaces in Canada.

Every two years, a cash prize of $50,000 is awarded to a first-place winner, and cash prizes of $20,000 are awarded to two runners-up. Additionally, a contemporary art curator from the National Gallery of Canada will travel to the city of the winning organization for in-person site and studio visits with local artists.

The Lacey Prize celebrates these small centres and the important work they do in supporting visual art in Canada – in particular their contributions to emerging and experimental practices, and the role they play within their local communities.

The Lacey Prize is made possible thanks to the support of the Naomi and John Lacey Family and the National Gallery of Canada Foundation.

The Lacey Prize is a celebration of community, caring and the exceptional nature of artistic innovations. Artists coming together to challenge ideas, share resources and present opportunities always leads to increased levels of understanding between peoples and places. Artist-run centres are the launch points for community movements building critical discourses that impact national and international circles of influence. The Lacey Prize is a celebration of organizations that exemplify innovation, community and collaborative creativity. I am very excited to see who gets nominated next.