Congratulations to visual artist Ningiukulu Teevee - the recipient of this year’s award!

On September 22, 2023, Teevee became the third recipient of the prestigious Kenojuak Ashevak Memorial Award at a special ceremony held at the Winnipeg Art Gallery-Qaumajuq. This year, thanks to the exceptional support of RBC Emerging Artists, she received $20,000, a solo exhibition in 2025, as well as a dedicated residency, catalogue and acquisition over the next two years.

A graphic artist and author from Kinngait (Cape Dorset), NU, Ningiukulu Teevee is best known for her bright, modern reimagining of traditional stories featuring playful depictions of arctic animals and people. Her work has been in over 40 exhibitions spanning the globe and ten solo shows since 2006 and has been featured in every Cape Dorset Annual Print Collection since 2004.

To watch a recording of the ceremony click here.

Congratulations to the extraordinary artists shortlisted for the award this year! On May 19, 2023 the IAF announced the shortlisted artists for KAMA in conjunction with the opening of, Anaanatta Unikkaangit (Our Mother’s Stories), their group exhibition at the Winnipeg Art Gallery (WAG)-Qaumajuq, which runs until November 12, 2023. This is the first year KAMA includes a special exhibition for the shortlist thanks to the exceptional support of RBC Emerging Artists. In addition to the exhibition, each artist shortlisted for the award received a $5,000 cash prize.

A celebrated sculptor and environmental activist, Billy Gauthier grew up in Happy Valley-Goose Bay, NL and now lives in North West River, NL. In 2010 he had his first solo show at Spirit Wrestler Gallery in Vancouver, BC, which sold out within an hour. Nine years later, Gauthier was celebrated with the 2019 solo exhibition, Saunituinnaulungitotluni | Beyond Bone, at The Rooms in St. John’s, NL.

Watch Billy Gauthier talk about his practice and what being shortlisted means to him!

Maureen Gruben
An Inuvialuk artist raised in Tuktuuyaqtuuq (Tuktoyaktuk), Inuvialuit Settlement Region, NT, Maureen Gruben’s work sits at the intersection of installation, performance, textile and sculpture. She holds a BFA from the University of Victoria and has exhibited regularly across Canada and internationally. In 2019 Gruben was longlisted for the Aesthetica Art Prize and in 2021 for the Sobey Art Award.

Watch Maureen Gruben talk about her practice and what being shortlisted means to her!

A multidisciplinary artist from Ottawa, ON, Gayle Uyagaqi Kabloona works across media, including knitting, ceramics and prints. In 2022 Kabloona took part in an artist residency with the Art Gallery of Guelph in Ontario, worked with Google to create three Google Pixel wallpapers to celebrate World Indigenous Peoples’ Day. 

Watch Gayle Uyagaqi Kabloona talk about her practice and what being shortlisted means to her!

An Inuvialuk, urban-based artist currently living in Calgary, AB, Kablusiak's work pushes boundaries and celebrates individuality. They are longlisted for the 2023 Sobey Art Award and were previously shortlisted for the 2019 Sobey Art Award and the 2021 Kenojuak Ashevak Memorial Award. In 2022 they had two solo exhibitions: Party City (where you belong) at Norberg Hall and mitaaqtuaqtunga (no translation provided) at The Bows.

Watch Kablusiak talk about their practice and what being shortlisted means to them!

2023 Longlist

Congratulations to the outstanding artists longlisted for the award this year! On February 23, 2023 the IAF announced the inaugural longlisted artists for KAMA, which features incredibly talented artists from across diverse media. Each artist received a cash prize of $2,500 and was featured in a dedicated catalogue distributed with the Spring 2023 issue of the Inuit Art Quarterly. Thanks to the care and generosity of the Inuit art community, KAMA has grown every year to provide more platforms for contemporary Inuit artists.

Read Longlist Catalogue

About the Award

The Kenojuak Ashevak Memorial Award (KAMA) is a biennial prize that supports the practice of an Inuk artist by facilitating opportunities for artistic development and career growth. Established in 2014 by generous members of the Inuit art community, this award honours the life and work of the late Kenojuak Ashevak, and her unparalleled contributions to the cultural life and arts of Inuit Nunangat and beyond by providing funding to artists to expand their careers and reach new audiences.

This is the first year KAMA is able to include a longlist, thanks to the exceptional support of RBC Emerging Artists. Each artist longlisted for the award receives a cash prize of $2,500 and is featured in a dedicated catalogue distributed with the Spring 2023 issue of the Inuit Art Quarterly. Each artist shortlisted for the award receives a $5,000 cash prize in addition to a group exhibition, which is also made possible with the support of RBC Emerging Artists.

Making This Award Possible

The Kenojuak Ashevak Memorial Award is only possible through the generous support of donors.

Established by the Inuit Art Foundation in 2014, the impact of the award was expanded in 2022 thanks to the generous support of RBC Emerging Artists. Today, the biennial prize supports ten artists through cash awards, a catalogue and exhibition opportunities. 

Thanks to a partnership with Winnipeg Art Gallery-Qaumajuq, established in 2021, the winner of the Kenojuak Ashevak Memorial Award receives additional opportunities for research, creation and exhibition. 

You can help ensure the award’s future by joining this committed group of supporters and giving generously today to support the future of Inuit art.