The Kingston Prize, Canada’s esteemed national portrait competition, has announced an increase in its award for the upcoming 2025 competition, raising the grand prize from $20,000 to $25,000.
Established in 2005, the Kingston Prize celebrates contemporary portraits by Canadian artists, aiming to encourage and reward excellence in this art form. The competition is open to artists who create portraits of Canadian citizens or permanent residents, based on real-life encounters. Over the years, it has grown significantly, attracting increased interest from both artists and the public.
The decision to enhance the prize amount underscores the organization’s commitment to supporting and recognizing Canadian artistic talent. This increase not only provides greater financial support to artists but also elevates the prestige of the award, reflecting the importance of portraiture in capturing the diverse narratives of Canadians.
In addition to the grand prize, the Kingston Prize offers two Honourable Mention Awards, each valued at $3,000. Visitors to the exhibition also have the opportunity to participate by voting for their favorite portraits, with People’s Choice award.
The increase in the prize amount is anticipated to attract a broader spectrum of artists to the 2025 competition, fostering a richer and more diverse collection of contemporary Canadian portraits. As the Kingston Prize continues to evolve, it remains a vital platform for artists to showcase their work and for audiences to engage with the evolving face of Canadian portraiture.
Featured above:
Life Mike 1 – Jeremiah Birnbaum (2011 Finalist)
After the Flood – Jennifer Campbell (2009 Finalist)
Red Burden – Kae Sasaki (2015 Finalist)
This article was edited on November 22, 2025 as the amount of the Honourable Mention prizes was misreported as $2,000 each. The correct amount is $3,000.
