Call for Applications: ohpinamake 2025 Prize for Indigenous Artists

University of Saskatchewan Art Galleries and Collection

Audie Murray, Chi Fii Embraces the Old Ones, 2021. Digital photographs on cloth vinyl, 365.8 x 182.9 cm. Installation image, courtesy of the artist. Photo: Carey Shaw.

ohpinamake 2025: Applications Now Open

Submission Deadline: December 1, 2025, 11:59pm CT

The University of Saskatchewan Art Galleries and Collection (USAGaC) has opened the application call for the fourth annual ohpinamake Prize for Indigenous Artists. “ohpinamake” is a nêhiyawêwin term meaning “to lift others,” which was gifted to USAGaC by three Indigenous community leaders: elders Maria Campbell and Louise Bernice Halfe-Sky Dancer, and artist and alumna Ruth Cuthand (BFA’83, MFA’92). This prestigious award recognizes an Indigenous artist who works within the spirit of the term, and whose territories intersect with the current colonial borders of Canada.

This opportunity is made possible through the generous support of donors Jim and Marian Knock. Originally from Saskatchewan, the Knocks provided an initial 50,000 CAD for ohpinamake to be administered by USAGaC in the College of Arts and Science. An award of 10,000 CAD will be provided annually for the next two years.

In further conversation with community, USAGaC has endeavoured to remove systemic barriers that keep Indigenous artists and others from accessing opportunities like this. From this space of engaged listening, we are continuing to develop both the processes of application, adjudication, and the possible outcomes of ohpinamake over the remaining years.

Eligibility

The chosen artist must clearly engage in a practice that “lifts others”. This can be understood as an active social practice or as the production of artwork that elevates Indigenous world-senses and creates community. It can also be understood as modeling behaviour that supports others in truly relational ways. Only Indigenous candidates will be considered for this award.

The University of Saskatchewan is committed to safeguarding the cultures and integrity of Indigenous peoples, Indigenous values, and Indigenous languages. We continue to grow our partnerships with Indigenous communities across the province, nationally and internationally and value the unique perspective that Indigenous students provide to strengthen these relationships. Verification of Indigenous Membership/Citizenship at the University of Saskatchewan is led and determined by the deybwewin | taapwaywin | tapwewin: Indigenous Truth Policy and Standing Committee in accordance with the processes developed to enact the policy.

Verification of Indigenous Membership/Citizenship with documentation is a condition of receiving this award and must be completed by the application deadline. Please visit deybwewin | taapwaywin | tapwewin to proceed through the verification system.

Previous Recipients

KC Adams, Joi T. Arcand and Audie Murray are the 2022, 2023 and 2024 recipients of the ohpinamake Prize for Indigenous Artists, respectively. More information on their artistic practices can be found on our website.

University Art Galleries and Collection, 2022.

Compensation

The artist will be chosen by a jury of cultural workers and community members.
The chosen artist will receive 10,000 CAD. The award recipient will be announced in March 2026.

How to Submit

The application form has only two questions, but they are important ones to ensure the jurors can understand how well an applicant’s work activates the principals and intention of this award. The online application form is available in English, French and Inuktitut. There is also an opportunity to upload media as a PDF. Applications and additional information can be found on our website. Please direct all queries to art.galleries@usask.ca.

Submission Deadline: December 1, 2025, 11:59pm CT

For additional information or questions, please contact:
University of Saskatchewan Art Galleries and Collection
art.galleries@usask.ca | 1 306-966-4571

University of Saskatchewan Art Galleries and Collection
107 Administration Place
Saskatoon, SK S7N 5A2
Canada
kagcag.usask.ca
art.galleries@usask.ca
+1 306 966 4571

Facebook @gordonsnelgrovegallery
Instagram @snelgrove.gallery

Accessibility:
While all university galleries are accessible with either first-floor entrance or elevator, accessible washrooms, wide unobstructed paths and elevator access. If you require accessibility support to visit the Gordon Snelgrove Gallery, we ask that you contact us at 306-966-4208 to make arrangements in advance. Accessible access is possible through the Murray Library. For more information, visit here.

Image Descriptions:
1. Two wall-height photographs, each depicting a hammer stone wrapped in beaded daisy chains, one resting atop fur, one resting on a dark background. Four lit candles rest on the floor, one at each corner of the photographs.
2. A bright yellow banner with white triangles on the right side. Centered in the banner, it reads “ohpinamake” in a red, funky font. Directly below “ohpinamake” it reads “‘to lift others’ – nêhiyawêwin” in a simple black font.