2017 Governor General's Awards in Visual and Media Arts Winners Announced

Ottawa, February 15, 2017 – The Canada Council for the Arts announced today the winners of the 2017 Governor General's Awards in Visual and Media Arts.

The awards carry a $25,000 cash prize and recognize outstanding career achievement. They are funded and administered by the Canada Council for the Arts, and include categories for artistic achievement in visual and media arts, fine craft and outstanding contribution. This year marks the 40th anniversary of the Saidye Bronfman Award for Excellence in Fine Crafts.

The awards ceremony and a presentation of the medallions by His Excellency the Right Honourable David Johnston, Governor General of Canada will take place at Rideau Hall on March 1 at 6 pm.

The 2017 winners are:

• Michèle Cournoyer, animation filmmaker, Montreal

• Mike Hoolboom, filmmaker, Toronto

• Shelagh Keeley, visual artist, Toronto

• Glenn Lewis, visual artist, Vancouver

• Landon Mackenzie, painter, Toronto

• Philip Monk, curator, writer, Toronto (Outstanding Contribution Award)

• Shelley Niro, multimedia artist, Brantford, Six Nations Of The Grand River

• Pamela Ritchie, jewellery artist, Halifax (Saidye Bronfman Award)

How you can learn more about this year's winners and their work:

• Watch original short films on each of the winners, commissioned by the Canada Council in partnership with the Independent Media Arts Alliance and directed by award-winning Canadian filmmakers, available online now at https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLjhCs-hRAvsH4kWKi1QrchckQ5IIoGZFy and on Air Canada's in-flight entertainment system, spring 2017.

• Attend the National Gallery of Canada on February 28th from 6 - 8 pm for a conversation between 2017 GG Arts winners and Rhiannon Vogl, Associate Curator of Contemporary Art, followed by a meet-the-artist reception in the Gallery's Watercourt Foyer from 8 - 9 pm.

• Visit the Winnipeg Art Gallery from April 8th to September 4th, 2017 for an exhibition featuring selected works by this year's winners, organized in partnership with the National Gallery of Canada. Exhibition curator: Rhiannon Vogl, Associate Curator, National Gallery of Canada

Canada Council for the Arts

The Canada Council for the Arts is Canada's national public arts funder. We champion and invest in artistic excellence so that Canadians may enjoy and participate in a rich cultural life. In 2015-16 we allocated $157.4 million dollars towards artistic creation and innovation through our grants, prizes and payments. We also conduct research, convene activities and work with partners to advance the sector and help embed the arts more deeply in communities across the country. We are responsible for the Canadian Commission for UNESCO which promotes the values and programs of UNESCO to contribute to a more peaceful, equitable and sustainable future for Canadians. The Canada Council Art Bank operates art rental programs and helps further public engagement with contemporary arts.

Learn more:

ggavma.canadacouncil.ca

saidyebronfmanaward.ca

artbank.ca

#GGArts

For more information about Shelley Niro visit: http://ggavma.canadacouncil.ca/en/shelley-niro