The Salt Spring National Art Prize 2023/24

The Salt Spring National Art Prize (SSNAP) was founded on Salt Spring Island in 2015. Its goal is to “recognize, showcase, and advance the accomplishments of Canadian visual artists.”

SSNAP is held every two years. An independent jury of Canadian arts professionals is convened to judge entries and approximately 50 works are chosen to be displayed at the Finalists Exhibition held at Mahon Hall. The exhibition runs September 22 to October 22 this year.

There are $50,000 in awards for SSNAP 2023/24, with a top prize of $20,000, donated by long-time Salt Spring Island resident Joan McConnell. The SSNAP Society is a charitable organization and relies on donations and sponsorship to produce SSNAP.

SSNAP has proven to be a highly popular event. There were over 2,000 submissions from across Canada, including from many local artists, in 2021.

Southern Gulf Islands artists have been well represented in SSNAP. Connie Kuhns, a Salt Spring Island photographer, received the Salt Spring Artist Award in 2021 for her photograph “Canadian Farmhouse.”

“When I deposited my winning cheque—my reward for Outstanding Work by a Salt Spring Artist—the teller drew a 1st place ribbon on my receipt,” Kuhns recalls. “SSNAP is unlike other competitions.”

In 2017, SSNAP added a special exhibition for Southern Gulf Islands residents: The Parallel Art Show. Southern Gulf Islands artists who submit to SSNAP are automatically entered into the Parallel Art Show. Parallel Art Show Finalists will be shown at ArtSpring this year. Winners will share $7,500 in awards.

SSNAP accepts two-dimensional and three-dimensional works of visual art. Entrants must be Canadian citizens or permanent residents at least 18 years of age. The entry fee is $30. Nominations are not required.

Being volunteer-run, SSNAP is always welcoming to volunteers interested in helping with the exhibitions or other opportunities.

“It will be so exciting to see the art submitted for the fifth biennial national exhibition taking place here on Salt Spring Island. I am very proud of the over 200 artists from every province and territory in Canada that we have showcased since 2015,” says SSNAP Society Founding Director Ronald T. Crawford.

Submissions close midnight on May 31st, 2023.

The SSNAP website can be found at saltspringartprize.ca